The Kenyan government is organizing meetings to address the challenges faced by small-scale traders in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently met with representatives from Nyamakima, Kamukunji, Gikomba, and River Road, and more meetings are planned in the coming weeks to provide sustainable solutions for traders on the lower end of the economic pyramid.
The DP has also invited top government and state agency officials to attend a meeting on March 1st to discuss the same issues with the same representatives.
The move comes after traders threatened to demonstrate against the Chinese invasion of their businesses.
Traders planned to close every shop and march through various areas of Nairobi.
Although the issue of unfair competition from foreign investors has been raised before, the Kenyan government has been slow to enact stronger legislation and reinforce existing laws to protect small-scale traders.
The trade deficit between Kenya and China stood at Sh390 billion in 2017, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
Small traders have welcomed Gachagua’s meetings, hoping that their concerns will be addressed adequately.
Gachagua’s office has sent a letter to the chairman of the Nyamakima, Kamukunji, Gikomba, and River Road business community, assuring them of the presence of top government and state agency officials at the meetings.
