KIRDI, Japanese government engage on competitiveness, productivity

By Jabali Media

The Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) is engaging with the Japanese government on enhancing productivity and competitiveness of Kenyan companies.

Dr. Calvin Onyango, KIRDI Director General said through the partnership, Kenyan companies are being introduced to the 5S Skills and KAIZEN Principles geared towards increasing productivity and income, which will have a ripple effect on employment opportunities in the country. 

The 5S stands for Sorting, Setting, Shining, Standardizing and Sustaining.

“We believe that by employing these principles, companies can improve their productivity. Once we have achieved this, we are hoping that as we move forward with the Japanese partners, we shall be able to move on to the higher levels in terms of productivity and competitiveness,” said Dr. Onyango.

“Basically, what we are looking at in all this is how we can improve the productivity of Kenyan companies so that they can be competitive not only in the country, but also regionally and around the world,” he added.

The five principles, he said, emphasize efficiency in increasing productivity and reducing wastes.

The Japanese, he added, have used the strategy since the 1950’s, propelling them to the current development heights.

“We have gone to the Japanese, we have engaged with them through the ministry of economy, trade and industry. They have agreed to come and see how to help us. We have done this at the first level, they have actually worked with KIRDI research scientists to improve our systems within different research centres. KIRDI now will be the trainer of trainers, and we shall now be able to transfer this knowledge to companies around the country.”

Yoshifumi Ogawa, the Japanese Association for Overseas Technical and Cooperation and Sustainable partnerships program coordinator, said that the partnership with KIRDI which started in 2013 seeks to train Kenyans on efficient and high-quality production rates.

5S Skills and KAIZEN Principles Seminar at KIRDI Kisumu. Photo/KIRDI

“We are working together with KIRDI to build the capability so that they can train others,” he shared. 

On her part, Beatrice Okoko, the Director Commercial Services at Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) appreciated the partnership, saying it will empower youths and create employment amongst them.

“We appreciate the efforts being undertaken by KIRD through the ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry through our Japanese partners. The 5S program is a very key component in our activities as much as our commercial services are concerned because we are dealing with processing of rice and honey, and all this is being geared towards enhancement of revenue generation,” she said.

Maurice Omondi, an entrepreneur said he is a testimony of what KIRDI can do to develop an industry. The leather processing expert said he was first picked by KIRDI 15 years ago, for the beginning of his journey in the leather industry.

“The 5S is what we are looking for because the reason why we are not able to sell locally is that we are not competitive. Our processes are so long and not in order,” he noted.

 Writers: Florence Omolloh, Khery Apondi and Johnson Juma.