Arusha, June 4 — The Director-General of the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), David Kemei, has been sworn in as a Commissioner of the East African Community Competition Authority (EACCA) and elected to serve as its interim chairperson.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the East African Community (EAC) headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. Kemei will serve a four-year term as Kenya’s representative on the EACCA Board of Commissioners.
“Effective competition law enforcement is a central pillar in unlocking economic growth, attracting investments, and safeguarding the interests of consumers at the national and regional levels,” Kemei said during the ceremony.
His appointment comes at a pivotal time as the EACCA strengthens its role in overseeing competition across regional markets. As interim chair, Kemei will focus on advancing harmonized merger control regimes, promoting joint investigations into anti-competitive behavior, and enhancing collaborative efforts in market studies and capacity-building initiatives across member states.
The EACCA was established under Article 9(2) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC and the EAC Competition Act of 2006. It is mandated to promote fair competition and protect consumer welfare in the East African region. The authority works closely with national agencies through formal partnerships, including Memoranda of Understanding with competition regulators in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
Kemei was sworn in alongside Germain Ntawuyamara of Burundi and Emmanuel Mugabe of Rwanda, bringing the number of sitting commissioners to three.
Their appointments are expected to bolster the Authority’s regional enforcement capacity as it prepares to roll out its second Strategic Plan and operationalize the regional merger notification regime later this year.
Annette Mutaawe Ssemuwemba, EAC Deputy Secretary-General for Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, welcomed the commissioners, calling their appointment timely. “The expertise you bring will help the EACCA leverage gains from established agencies like Kenya’s and guide implementation of competition policy across the region,” she noted.
Stellah Onyancha, Acting Registrar of the EACCA, confirmed that legal amendments required to launch the merger notification framework had been finalized through the EAC Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023. Merger notifications are scheduled to begin in October 2025.
“These changes will enhance the ease of doing business and improve the region’s investment climate,” Onyancha said.
Profile: David Kemei
David Kemei was appointed Director-General of the Competition Authority of Kenya on October 7, 2024. Since assuming office, he has led the Authority in advancing its mandate under the Competition Act, CAP 504, focusing on effective enforcement, stakeholder engagement, and cross-border collaboration.
With over 15 years of leadership experience, Kemei brings a robust background in corporate and financial management, regulatory affairs, project execution, and international partnerships.
He holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi. He is also a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Regulation Specialist, and an accredited executive coach.
Kemei has previously held key roles at institutions including Nation Media Group, Kenya Shell (now Vivo Energy), Windsor Golf Hotels & Country Club, DGMB Training Solutions Ltd, and the former Electricity Regulatory Board (now EPRA).
His governance experience spans board-level leadership at organizations such as Kenya Reinsurance Corporation, Zep Re, and the Kenya Medical Training College. He also chaired the audit committee of the Commission on Revenue Allocation.
