Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has met Nairobi traders in a bid to stem growing protests over increased taxes and difficult business environment.
Nairobi traders led by those from Nyamakima who began the movement that propelled UDA to power have been complaining loudly over a sharp increase in taxes and levies and a deteriorating business environment.
During the meetibg, Gachagua said the small-scale traders are the real Hustlers driving our economy.
He said they are working to improve their working environment for enhanced contribution to wealth creation through adjustments of legal, policy and administrative measures for maximum benefit.
He said to understand the pertinent issues he held an engagement with small-scale traders from Nairobi as they shared concerns and proposals of removing obstacles for a smooth business environment.
“It was a very productive engagement. We prioritise resolving the issues through shortterm, midterm and longterm measures because it is the Ruto Administration’s commitment to revitalising all sectors through pragmatic and people-centred sustainable interventions guided by a multiagency approach,” he said.
Those who attended the meeting included KRA Chairman Anthony Mwaura and the Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga, Anti-Counterfeit Agency Chairman Josephat Kabeabea and CEO Mbugua Njoroge and Kenya Bureau of Standards Managing Director Esther Ngari.
Others were chairman of the National Standards Council Anthony Munyiri, Principal Secretaries Dr Alfred K’Ombudo (Trade) and Susan Mangeni (MSMEs), Nairobi Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri, Starehe MP Amos Mwago and epresentatives of traders from across Nairobi County.
