Traders on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest in Kiambu town, demanding immediate government action on what they termed as unlawful taxation and harassment.
The traders claimed county officers arrested them and confiscated their wares over failure to pay levies on time.
But the dampened economy has made it difficult for them to pay the levies within the stipulated time, they said, adding that their businesses have not been making sufficient income to sustain them.
As such, they demanded the immediate withdrawal of all cases filed against them and the release of impounded wares to enable them continue conducting their business activities.
The traders congregated in Kiambu town from Kirigiti, Ndumberi, Kiambu town, Thindigua, Gakagu and Gaturitu and marched to the county headquarters, seeking audience with Governor Kimani Wamatangi.
However, they were informed he was not in the office.
The traders—carrying placards and chanting slogans—then proceeded to the county assembly where they formally presented their grievances.
“We wanted to have a conversation with the governor because we are taxpayers and any decision the county makes should be made in consultation with us,” Faith Ruguru said.
Ruguru added that some traders had to skip meals to support their families due to dwindling returns.
“When you confiscate goods from such a person, how will he be able to pay taxes? We want those items returned to their owners as soon as possible. These are the issues we want addressed.”
The traders, who were escorted by police officers, said the business environment had become unconducive and that the situation was worsened by the high cost of living.
They urged the county administration to rein in enforcement officers who were harassing traders in the name of enforcing payment of levies.
They called for the resignation of six senior county officials, including the municipal manager and enforcement officers, accusing them of abuse of power and persistent misconduct.
In their petition, they also demanded that business permits and licences be made affordable— especially for small-scale traders—and standardised across the county.
Fees collected from levies should be prudently utilised to improve the delivery of services in the sectors from which they are drawn, they said.
“We don’t want the money collected from us to go towards paying doctors. Let the money collected from hospitals do that,” Ruguru added.
Jawabu Njoroge called for the maintenance and repair of drainage systems in Kiambu town, saying many were blocked while manholes have been left gaping, posing risks to residents.
He underscored the need to urgently implement reforms in the county governance and better regulate the business sector.
Their petition at the county assembly was received by the chairpersons of the Trade and Finance committees, who urged them to ensure they participate in the upcoming public participation forum on the Kiambu County Finance Bill 2025/2026.
Scheduled for Thursday at the Kiambu Community Hall, the forum, they were told, would present them a platform to voice their concerns and have them entrenched in the law.
MCAs pledged to deliberate on the issues, emphasising the need for the devolved unit to engage in structured public participation.
by ALICE WAITHERA
