The business community in Kisii has appealed to the County and National Governments to urgently intervene and stop illegal foreign traders from taking over their markets.
Led by the local Chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Samuel Toroni the group protested against invasion by traders from various East African Countries, whom they said engaged in small businesses in various local towns and market centers within the county.
Speaking after a brief meeting with Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), officials in a Kisii Hotel cited that major stalls in Kisii CBD have now been taken by foreigners despite them lacking work permits.
He said there were suspicious Tanzanians, Somali, Rwandese, Burundians and a few Chinese who roam the streets of the towns hawking cheap goods at the expense of the indigenous traders.
“We are now requesting the two governments to scrutinise these people and take appropriate action so that our local traders can benefit from doing business here,” he added.
Efforts to get a comment from the Kisii County Trade’s Executive Officer, Thomas Nyameino, were fruitless as he was said to be on an official trip outside the county.
A source at his office who requested anonymity as he is not authorised to comment on such matters said they were aware of the Kenyan business people’s complaints and that measures had been taken to resolve the issue.