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MARTIN OCHIEN’G
CHAIR GLOBAL COMPACT NETWORK KENYA
Martin Ochien’g is Chair of the Board of the Global Compact Network Kenya, the Kenyan arm of the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.
In the contemporary global landscape where corporate sustainability is acknowledged as a business imperative, the UN Global Compact assumes a pivotal role.
The primary goal of Global Compact Kenya is to guide companies towards aligning their operations and strategies with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, focusing on Human Rights, Labour, Environment, and Anti-Corruption. Ochien’g is at the forefront, driving and catalysing actions to promote ethical business practices in the country. His efforts include serving as a high-level champion of the UN Global Compact’s principles and mobilising business leadership support.
Ochien’g leads an eminent board comprising distinguished captains of their respective industries. Among them are; Kariuki Ngari, Regional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Managing Director (MD), Standard Chartered Bank Kenya; Peter Ndegwa, CEO at Safaricom PLC; Jane Karuku, Group MD & CEO at East African Breweries PLC; Mohamed Abdi, CEO & MD, Absa Bank Kenya; Sheila Masinde, Executive Director at Transparency International (TI) Kenya; Flora Mutahi, CEO at Melvin Marsh International; Carole Kariuki, CEO, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA); Dr. Stephen Jackson, Resident Coordinator, UN Mission in Kenya; Jonty Van Zeller, Director, Alamaya Group; and Judy Njino, Executive Director, Global Compact Kenya.
Under Ochien’g’s dynamic leadership, Global Compact Kenya has evolved into a vibrant entity, achieving unprecedented growth in the last two years of his chairmanship. The Secretariat, under the astute guidance of Executive Director Judy Njino, has been instrumental in this remarkable ascent.
With him at the helm, Global Compact Kenya boasts close to 300 private sector signatories, representing diverse segments of the Kenyan economy. Additionally, the Network has secured commitments from over 800 other companies to adhere to a common Code of Ethics.
Further to its growth, Global Compact Kenya operates effectively through a dedicated professional Secretariat. This committed team ensures the seamless execution of day-to-day operations, playing a crucial role in the organisation’s overall success. Actively exploring impact beyond Kenya, the Network seeks to extend its services to Uganda in 2024, in a quest to mobilise a wider pool of companies committed to responsible business conduct aligned to the UN Global Compact principles.
Under Ochien’g’s leadership, Global Compact Kenya has emerged as a trailblazer, solidifying its position as the largest corporate sustainability initiative in Africa. It serves as a model for other prominent markets, including Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt.
On a regional scale, Ochien’g plays a substantial role in championing African priorities on the world stage, notably as a prominent voice in the African Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC), and as co-chair to the Africa Board of Directors Group which oversees other UN Global Compact Country Networks in the continent.
ABLC, rooted in the UN Global Compact Africa Strategy, focuses on advancing sustainable growth, prosperity, and development in Africa, with Climate being a key priority. With a membership comprising approximately 57 companies spanning 50 countries and boasting a combined revenue exceeding USD 150 billion, ABLC member companies employ over 900,000 individuals.
As a Board Member at the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Ochien’g not only serves but also Chairs the Environment and Sustainability committee. This committee is mandated by the KAM board to lead the sustainability agenda of the manufacturing sector to bolster the sector’s contribution to the Kenyan economy.
Ochien’g is Group MD and CEO at Sasini PLC, East Africa’s largest agribusiness known for its robust and impactful Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Demonstrating a strong commitment to inclusion within his professional circles, Ochien’g has spearheaded efforts in championing gender equality at Sasini. His leadership positions the company as a beacon of progress in advancing gender equality within the country.
Internationally, Ochien’g’s expertise in gender mainstreaming has been recognised and extensively contributes to the global discourse. Most notably, he served as a panellist at the Global Private Sector Forum held in New York, USA, on the sidelines of the last edition of the UN Annual General Assembly. During this event, he shared insights on crucial topics, including the importance of closing the gender pay gap and achieving equity in the corporate world, making a substantial impact on the ongoing global conversation.
Reflecting on the current interest in Africa, Ochien’g emphasises the continent’s potential to play a pivotal role in the global economy for the next century. He foresees heightened attention on Africa due to its expanding workforce, growing talent pool, and abundant resources, as well as a climate conducive to global needs. Ochien’g envisions Africa evolving into a robust global food provider and a key driver for global change. He emphasises that global meetings, coalitions, and initiatives must be strategically focused to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
