The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Kisii County Chairman, Benjamin Onkoba has warned traders and members of the business community to be wary of extortionists on the loose who purport to be representing their interests, only to defraud them their hard earned cash.
Onkoba also challenged the Kisii county government to weed out the extortionists and conmen in the area who masquerade as the KNCCI officials linking the unsuspecting traders with the county government administration on issues pertaining business levies and trading licenses.
The KNCCI boss decried increasing number of illegal business associations and pressure groups purporting to fight for the interests of the business community in the town, yet the role was supposed to be undertaken by the KNCCI leadership in the county.
Onkoba who was recently re-elected as the Kisii county KNCCI Chairman unopposed for the final three-year term also warned members of the business community in the town against allowing their business premises to be used as avenues for politics as it will affect and force them to close down.
"I am challenging members of the business community in this town not to allow their business premises to be used as political venues since it will erode their business goodwill and credibility," stated Onkoba.
Onkoba has pledged to use his final term in office to woo more investors into the county as part of his agenda of creating more job opportunities for both the youth and women.
The KNCCI boss urged the Chamber's national office to consider giving the county's share of funds, revealing the Chamber will soon open a branch at Nyamarambe town in South Mugirango sub-county to boost the soapstone industry in the region.
"The funds are available and I challenge the national office to hasten the release of the county's share to facilitate the Chamber's activities on the ground for the improvement of its service delivery to the business community in the region," said Onkoba.
He, however, called on the county government of Kisii to minimise conflicts between its administration and members of the business community through consultations with the KNCCI leadership on issues of business levies and trading licenses.
“We appeal to the county government of Kisii to respect the KNCCI leadership on the ground and embrace consultations on business issues to avoid clashes with traders over licenses and levies,” said Onkoba.