Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable: The creation of a Kenyan CSR knowledge centre and business network

With a growing economy and being an increasingly popular investment destination, both domestic and foreign business activity in Kenya has surged over the past years. In addition, the country has a relatively young population and many of the country’s economic sectors offer business opportunities. Despite these developments, the country has faced challenges on various dimensions of social-economic development. Against this background, corporate social responsibility (CSR), defined as firms’ roles and responsibilities in contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable economy, may play an important role in combating social and ecological challenges and strengthening Kenyan business at the same time. Dutch and Kenyan governments and businesses have taken the initiative to develop a knowledge centre for sustainable and inclusive business in Kenya (KSIB-K). This initiative sprung from a Dutch trade mission to Kenya in 2013. The Dutch CSR knowledge centre, MVO Nederland, was invited to contribute in this trade mission with the objective to disseminate knowledge and expertise on CSR and participate in a multi-stakeholder dialogue on CSR in the Kenyan flower sector. After a series of roundtables talks on CSR and sustainability in which Kenyan and Dutch organizations participated, the plan was conceived to develop KSIB-K and, as an integral part of it, build a local CSR business network. Among the goals of the KSIB-K are building CSR skills in Kenyan firms, propagating a holistic view of CSR that goes beyond philanthropic conceptions of the subject, CSR best practice and knowledge sharing, and stimulating doing responsible business both within Kenya and between Kenya and its business partners, including the Netherlands. While individual Kenyan companies may lack the resources, skills, willingness and experience to engage in responsible business, a CSR business network could bundle these and existing initiatives to create a movement of inclusive and sustainable business that benefits companies and society alike. This chapter will focus on the short history of the initiative to develop KSIB-K and the Kenyan CSR business network, place it within the current ‘state of CSR thinking and practice’ in Kenya and its role in international business and sketch its roadmap for the years to come. This chapter will also pay attention to the role of governments in encouraging responsible business, activities that will be deployed to stimulate Kenyan business to develop CSR knowledge and skills, and possible risks associated with developing such a new CSR business network.