Hawkers in Kiambu Sub-County have called on the government to reduce taxes on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in order to help spur job creation and reduce unemployment in the country.
Speaking at the market centre in Kiambu during a hawkers meeting on Thursday, the hawkers lobby group chairman, Peter Ndegwa said the long term solution for the ever escalating unemployment lies in the reduction of taxes for small and medium enterprises so that they can increase their capacity to employ as many youth as possible.
Ndegwa, said the SMEs have the capacity of employing at least two to three youths if they are assured of tax reduction on their businesses.
He urged the Treasury to implement the pledge they made last year to support SMEs by reducing taxes.
According to Ndegwa, if the move is implemented, the SME sector may begin to feel more engaged by the government as a key driver of the economic growth as well as provide solutions to major challenges such as unemployment.
"Three jobless youth can easily find SMEs in their locality or neighbourhood that can give them jobs. I started out as a hawker and now I have registered and started an SME company in the town," said Ndegwa.
He urged the counties to value the contributions made by the hawkers and support them instead of considering them as a necessary evil.
Ndegwa said the 5,000 hawkers registered in Kiambu Town take care of a minimum of six people, that means whenever a hawker is arrested or his goods are confiscated six people are likely to sleep hungry.