Advocacy and Lobbying

CMA was formed to enable the grain milling industry speak with one voice. We provide relevant industry services to our members, government, policy-makers, traders, suppliers and customers. CMA provides the required leadership to its members in functions which are suitable for the growth of the industry to manage. We aim to continue advancing independent, fact-based dialogue and advocacy for our members by assessing the emerging and potential inhibitors to trade, both on a local and international basis. CMA supports the government’s efforts (both national and county) of ensuring that trade is not impact by technical and economic barriers that may arise via legislative actions. We have cordial relations with various government ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture; The National Treasury; Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives; Ministry of Health and other government departments.

Policy Framework Development

CMA on behalf of its members has since grown from simply lobbying against high wheat import duties, problems faced with cyclical maize shortages, push for maize and wheat liberalized grain markets, to formulating public policy that facilitate proper engagement. CMA has endeavoured to create more awareness of the safety of GM food and cost benefits of using GM technology and advocate for lifting of GM Ban to allow importation. We also push for the government to allow for duty free importation of yellow maize releasing at least 3million bags for human consumption. We are responsible for setting appropriate policy and processes with valuable support by our members and other industry stakeholders. Our members depend on CMA to continually reassess and develop additional capacity with a goal of creating an operating environment for the commercial grain industry that is efficient, effective and transparent

Grain Market Research

A well informed CMA will make decisions based on sound data and research. Key strategies include;

Training and Capacity Development

CMA ensures that our members are acquainted with the new international industry developments and other continuous improvement initiatives. CMA facilitates such initiatives for its members to improve professionalism, and enhance value added capacity building to the members’ organizations. CMA through its various mechanisms allows professionals from its membership to represent the association in different forums. This helps to adopt learning opportunities and share innovative trade processes necessary for building an understanding of various emerging industry technologies from producers to trade intermediaries to consumers. Such include but are not limited to the following:

• Safety, Quality and Environmental Compliance Training
• Good Corporate governance workshop
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation
• Crisis Management
• Ethics and Accountability while dealing with the public
• Media Orientation and Communications Training
• Continuous Improvement
• Grain Market Survey and Information Dissemination

Safety and Quality Assurance Programs

Food Safety is paramount for CMA members. We have collaborated with local and International Organizations provide industry guidance on such issues relating grain quality and Aflatoxin control programmes. US based Texas A&M AgriLife Research, pioneered the APTECA (Aflatoxin Proficiency Testing for Eastern and Central Africa (APTECA) programme to help manage the economic and food safety risk of Aflatoxin contamination. This has been achieved through reduction of the variability of Aflatoxin test results; proficiency testing; use of laboratory control samples; and third party verification. CMA members have benefited from these services through access to real-time and accurate information about the level of Aflatoxin and the challenges associated with sampling and testing of maize and their flour products.

Government Regulations

CMA has ensured that we consistently and professionally represent stakeholders in the milling industry in discussing and setting Government policy. We advocate for the review and adoption of favourable industry local and international standards, rules, regulations and legislations. This has had greater commercial impact to our members by ensuring local standards, rules and regulations and reference methods are harmonised with international standards and applied across the board. Some of the Key Legislations include;

• The Food Security Act 2014
• AFFA Act 2013
• Crop Act 2013
• Food Crop Act 2015
• Customs Rules (EAC, COMESA & KRA)
• KEBS Standards
• Commodity Exchange
• Warehouse Receipting Services
• GMO Regulations
• Related County Government Issues