Gachagua Keep His Word, Meet Traders

By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga

Worth Noting:

• It is worth to note that Cheng, 37, was selling goods imported from his home country of China. Equally, the goods sold by the traders, running a grey economy, whose businesses were located in Nyamakima, Kamukuji, Gikomba and adjacent areas,  came from same country.
• So, how come the prices of goods sold at China Square were very low? Do you want to tell me Cheng was not interested in raking profit?
• Well, I was in town when the demonstration was taking place and I had an opportunity to listen to varied opinions from members of public.
• These traders are driven by greed and get-rich-quick mentality. This is without caring about the tough economic situation facing their fellow Kenyans.

A day after Nyamakima ‘Kingmaker’ traders held a demonstration in the streets of Nairobi, Deputy President Rigathi met and chaired the meeting of thier representatives.

The meeting held at the boardroom of his office at Harambee House Annex was also attended by other senior government officials.

The DP gave the traders enough time to ventilate and pour their hearts out.

We had lodged our complaints to the relevant offices but the government had turned deaf ear.

Our major complaint is. The Chinese nationals had been issued with work permits and allowed to start and run the same businesses that we are doing.

They were driving us out of town because they were selling thier products at a very low cost.

The traders cited the China Square, a retail store chain located at Kenyatta University’s Unicity Mall.

Bearing in mind that this retail store started in operating in January this year, the Ruto led Kenya Kenya government cannot exonerate itself.

Being at the helm, you had the power to stop it from running. Could it turn out money changed hands? Did the owner bribe the officials of Ministry of Trade?

If not, then it means this business was being run in accordance with laws of Kenya.

Indeed, Lei Cheng, the owner, initially said he was not bothered by threats to hold the demonstration and have him deported.

I’m not worried. I’m running a legal business and I have all the documentations to prove this.

Putting this aside, traders told the DP Gachagua.

Our decision to hold a demonstration came as a last resort.

It is worth to note that Cheng, 37, was selling goods imported from his home country of China. Equally, the goods sold by the traders, running a grey economy, whose  businesses were located in Nyamakima, Kamukuji, Gikomba and adjacent areas,  came from same country.

So, how come the prices of goods sold at China Square were very low? Do you want to tell me Cheng was not interested in raking profit?

Well, I was in town when the demonstration was taking place and I had an opportunity to listen to  varied opinions from members of public.

These traders are driven by greed and get-rich-quick mentality. This is without caring about the tough economic situation facing their fellow Kenyans.

When they go to China, they buy these good at low wholesale prices. When they jet back, they sell them at high and exorbitant prices.

The decision by Cheng to open the store is a God-send. He is helping tens of thousands of families eking their living from hand-to-mouth.

Perhaps, this is one of reasons why Gachugua was guarded in his response.

Though he assured them that the government would look and address their grievances, he also reminded them that Kenya was bound by  international trade agreements.

It is worth to note that one of key aspect of Kenya’s foreign policy is calling on international community to come to invest in our country.

So, the DP’s message was clear. As we deal with this matter, we will ensure our decision does not antagonize and instill fear to our international development partners.

However, we will be candid when engaging them. China is known for manufacturing. So, are their citizens, who migrate to other countries, allowed to run retail, wholesale business of the same products? If yes, to what extent?

Here, I would expect the government of Kenya to review trade policies in a holistic manner.

The get-rich-quick mentality of the local traders must be tamed.

For now,  traders are employing the card of blackmail and intimidation by  positioning themselves as the ‘kingmaker’.

Yes, it is true they voted as a bloc in favor of Ruto-Gachagua presidency.

It is, however, wrong to take advantage of this to run unregulated and exploitive grey economy.

As I conclude, I want the traders to bear this in mind. DP Gachagua has no mandate to make the final on decision on issues they had raised alone.

This explains why he was cagey.  He knew it is going to be collective decision of the government.

So, if things fail to go your way, don’t blame him.

Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi