Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina recent presser. [Photo/Thika Today]
Thika Town MP Eng Patrick Wainaina has tabled a private members’ Bill aimed at regulating the imports into the country with a view to protect local manufacturers and create more jobs in the country.
The bill, which is under the consideration of the National Assembly's House Business Committee aims at protecting Kenyan farmers and small entrepreneurs being driven out of the market by cheap importations that are readily available locally.
"When you import cheap eggs and oranges from South Africa, you are creating jobs there and killing our own here. We are also creating mega jobs in China as we allow cheap imports for things that we can produce locally. This has to change," Wainaina said on Tuesday at Jua Kali area while addressing local artisans.
Wainaina, who exuded confidence that the bill will sail through Parliament, said the legislation seeks to impose hefty taxes on imported products which are locally available. This, he said, will protect domestic producers.
"I am proposing to peg the minimum import duty of 10% so that we do not flood the country with things that are already produced locally at the expense of those producing them. That way, we are going to create more market for our goods and consequently create more jobs," he added.
He, however, clarified that the bill was not meant to ban imports that substitute locally available goods but its key goal is to make local businesses or industries more competitive through restricting the quantity of imports entering the country.
"This bill also seeks to introduce subsidies in order to lower the cost of production and enable local producers to generate profits at lower price levels," added Wainaina.
He noted that Kenyan small-scale farmers and jua kali artisans will have their goods sell well as existing inequalities will be a thing of the past.