The influx of Chinese nationals into local businesses has infuriated Kenyan small traders and importers.
The traders now say the unregulated entry of the foreigners into Nairobi retail scene has affected their businesses as they are unable to compete with them. The Chinese traders have allegedly been shipping in cheap products into Kenyan market, killing local businesses.
Kenya World Wide Importers and Traders Association (KWITA) chairman Ben Mutahi said more that 50,000 people employed directly in the sector risk losing their jobs and wants government to regulate the influx of foreigners.
“They [Chinese traders] are all over in Gikomba market and Biashara Street. It is very hard for us to compete with them,” Mutahi told the Business Daily.
He said it was unfair for local traders to be charged high taxes to import goods from China, while their Chinese counterparts bring them tax free.
“If the Chinese are here as investors, let them go and start factories, and leave retail business for Kenyans,” Mutahi said.
Contacted for a comment, Trade Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo promised to address the traders woes. “The situation is being handled by the Immigration Department,” he said without offering further details.
In May, China became the largest exporter to Kenya, having shipped out goods worth Sh48 billion – the highest ever monthly import bill by a single nation.
If it was Luos vending in…
If it was Luos vending in Central Kenya these Protesters would have Kicked them out while caling out “Raira! Laila!! Laira!!!
Guest1 you are mistaken…
Guest1 you are mistaken. Even when there was political turmoil in our country, Kikuyus never touched or harassed Luos living and doing businesses in their counties. Actually, it was the contrary. Let us be “Kenyans” and not promote tribalism.
Question: How many Luos are…
Question: How many Luos are Doing Business in Central Kenya as we Speak? None!!!
Sigh!!
Sigh!!
Eeh, I know personally of a…
Eeh, I know personally of a lot of luos doing business there.
Stop that bulls…. Of tribalism
I guess you know where all…
I guess you know where all the Luo live and work, don’t you? Know it all !!. Sometimes it is better to keep your ineptness to yourself.
Look who is Yapping? You’re…
Look who is Yapping? You’re so Inept at your Defending obvoiusTRIBALISM (of HATING your Brother and MERELY Protesting the Foreigner).
@Guest1 you are the mother…
@Guest1 you are the mother of tribalism. Fact: Kikuyu businesses were burnt during elections in Kisumu. Perhaps you should be more concerned about that and not Luos doing biz in central. They don’t need your protection I can tell you that.
They should be asking the…
They should be asking the government. Africa is never ceased to not be colonized. We don’t control our own resources.
Correct Kiki. But the…
Correct Kiki. But the Problem is if the same Government issued Licenses (to the Foreigners).
What is the government doing…
What is the government doing? In the name of SGR that is supposedly loosing a billion a month? This money, Kenyans are supposed to come up with. You do not protect our industries; We are discriminated against in our own country. The government officials need to read ” The scrabble for Africa” and see the Re-colonization path that is about to come. If this government is not careful, it’s policies will bring down the Dynasties even before 2022. The government officials are too busy with corruption, they forgot they were elected to be Servants of Mwananchi. To serve and protect Mwananchi in all ways including foreign interference. May the real God help Kenya!!
Uhunye this is completely…
Uhunye this is completely unacceptable especially in a country where most rely on small business as the only means of survival. Mating’i been testifying to this shoddy parliamentary committee DAILY. The guy works one day, testifies the following day about what he did the previous day.They are out to break the guy kabisa. Meanwhile Chinese are busy in Kenya selling mayai gonga and hawking their goods and “services” everywhere.
Jameni:
Makosa siyo ya hawa…
Jameni:
Makosa siyo ya hawa Ndugu zetu Wachina! Aliyewapa kibali cha kuingia nchini na kufanya kazi na biashara ni nani?
Kumbukeni wimbo huu
“…Jambo, Jambo Bwana, Habari gani? Nzuri sana
Wageni mwakaribishwa, Kenya yetu hakuna matata…”
Ndugu Miguna Miguna…
Ndugu Miguna Miguna arudishwe nchini mara moja. Kama harudishwi, wananchi wakatae kabisa kufuata sheria za nchini. Kila wakati ninapoiona picha ya Kiharaangwa na Ndugu yake Matiangi, mimi hushikwa na hasira vile walivyovunja sheria za nchi kwa kukataa kufuata mapendekezo ya mahakma kuu ya Kenya.
Wako everywhere Australia…
Wako everywhere Australia,USA,UK with small shops nawamenjaa the small sokos which moves to different suburbs na vans na pick ups??So it’s not only Kenya.Indians n Chinese population is 2.4billions So this pple r always looking for a country they can go leave?But those small jobs should b kept to the wanainchi in that country.I visited Australia n trust me Australia is a Chinese state juu everything from tooth pick,clothes,realestates owned by Chinese.So Aussies have already bin colonised juu Chinese owned them?Talk about loans too n the Australia mining boom seems diminishing??.Na waafrica ur scared.China have dominated the so called 1st world countries.