Gatundu North MP Kigo Njenga has said that the high and ‘very abnormal’ licence fees charged by the Kiambu County Government will soon push small scale traders out of business.
Speaking to the press on Saturday while at Thika town, Njenga said that the County Government should consider the small scale traders whose income is very small.
“Charging the small scale traders such a huge amount of money for licences is very unfair. The county government should come up with a mechanism that will be favourable to the small scale traders whose income is small,” he said.
“The money which they are being charged as licence fee usually eats up all their profits hence they are left with nothing,” added Njega.
The MP went on to say that when they passed and enacted the constitution, devolution was not only meant to tax Kenyans, but it becomes a headache in Kiambu County due to the high rates.
“Most businessmen and women here are accusing us the leaders of not favouring them and yet its not us but the county government which is doing so,” said the MP.
“I urge all the members of the assembly to go back to the assembly house and discuss this issue of licences. The small scale traders are pressed hard and soon we will see most people evading doing business here,” he added.
The MP advised the small scale traders to come together and form a union which will represent them before the county government and discuss the issues affecting them.
“You should appoint leaders who will take your grievances to the county government, and also you should go ahead and urge the MCAs to consider lowering the fees,” he noted.