Special Paper No. 01 of 2002 on Thinking About Regulating? The Better Regulation Guide

Abstract

Government legislation and regulations, while necessary in any modern society, impose a considerable cost burden on businesses. The regulatory framework of a country affects all businesses in that it imposes costs of compliance - costs that are passed on to the final consumer. As a result, the extent of regulation affects the competitiveness of Kenyan businesses. Kenya's statute books, as in many other developing countries, are full of unnecessary rules and requirements. The impact on businesses, especially small businesses, is high and this significantly affects their profitability and their ability to generate sustainable employment. In other words, over-regulation in Kenya can constrict employment opportunities. The purpose of The Better Regulation Guide is to set out a framework within which legislation and regulations should be designed, and therefore help in simplifying the regulatory environment for business.