Is Nyamakima ‘Kingmakers’ And China Square Business Rivalry A Set Up For Gachagua?

By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga

Worth Noting:

• Thika Super Highway stood out as one of the mega projects rolled out through similar partnership during the Kibaki era.
• With this, Gachagua is in Catch 12. Damned if he take a hardline stance by ordering closure of businesses run by Chinese nationals Kenya and thier deportation, damned if he fails to address the interests of traders in Nyamakima, Gikomba and Kamukunji.
• Besides, Gachagua is on record showering Kibaki with praises. President Ruto and I plan to take this country back to the path of economic foundation laid by President Kibaki.
• Lei Cheng, 37, the owner of China Square, a retail store chain located at Kenyatta University’s Unicity Mall opened this business in January.

When the business war pitting Nyamakima ‘kingmaker’ traders and China Square erupted, a friend of mine told me.

The Deputy President is on the spotlight as the burden to sort out this problem had shifted and placed on his shoulder.

This is a delicate matter. On one hand, the traders expect him to honor one of the key election pledges of safeguarding thier business interests and, on the other, the commitment of the government of Kenya to respect and uphold the international trade agreements.

The rivalry reared an ugly head when the traders demonstrated in the streets of Nairobi CBD all the way to DP’s office and parliament.

They blew vuvuzela, chanted anti-China slogans and carried banners bearing similar messages.

Notably, these developments were taking place at a time of the raging debate on President William Ruto’s shift of foreign policy as he was now looking West.

This unlike his predecessor President Uhuru Kenyatta who was pro-East.

Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) was one of the flagship projects that epitomized Kenya-China cooperation. The Mombasa-Nairobi-Naivasha modern rail line was built by China Bridge and Road Corporation (CBRC) through the loan secured from Exim Bank of China.

For Uhuru, he took over from where President Mwai Kibaki had left.

Thika Super Highway stood out as one of the mega projects rolled out through similar partnership during the Kibaki era.

With this, Gachagua is in Catch 12. Damned if he take a hardline stance by ordering closure of businesses run by Chinese nationals Kenya and thier deportation, damned if he fails to address the interests of traders in Nyamakima, Gikomba and Kamukunji.

Besides, Gachagua is on record showering Kibaki with praises. President Ruto and I plan to take this country back to the path of economic foundation laid by President Kibaki.

Lei Cheng, 37, the owner of China Square, a retail store chain located at Kenyatta University’s Unicity Mall opened this business in January.

This means that the current government of Kenya Kwanza had approved his business and issued him with all operating licences. He has been complying including paying taxes on time.

As we know, the department of licensing falls under the Ministry of Trade which is being led by CS Moses Kuria.

Ironically, Kuria is same person who came out guns blazing. He asked the Kenyatta University to take up the retail store and lease the businesses to the traders.

He also called for the deportation of Cheng.

Though he ignited the fire, the burden of extinguishing it has shifted to DP.

Was this a set up for Gachagua? It is widely believed that Kuria does not see eye to eye with DP.

Besides, he is known to harbor the ambitions of becoming the kingpin of Mount Kenya region, a position currently being held by former president Uhuru Kenyatta who hails from his (Kuria) county of Kiambu.

Of late, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who is heading a powerful docket of Budget and Appropriation Committee of National Assembly, is also seen to be eyeing the same position.

Some days ago, he hosted lawmakers of the ruling Kenya Kwanza alliance from various parts of the country in Kiharu.

In what appeared to be pre-determined position, Speaker after speaker showered him with praises and stated he is right person to lead the Mountain.

Back to business rivalry, one thing is clear. Majority of these traders hails from Mount Kenya region.

Therefore, you would agree on this. If the government decision on the matter will not favor them, they will not blame Kuria. They will instead train thier gun on DP.

I would however want the traders to bear this.That will be a collective decision of the government, not Gachagua.

As I conclude, allow me to say this.  Most of the goods of these traders, who run a grey economy, comes from China.

If China government retaliate and ban Kenya from importing thier goods, who will suffer more? This is a food for thought.

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