Governor tells poll losers not to use traders to settle political scores

Kitui, Kenya: Kitui Governor Julius Malombe has asked local politicians to stop inciting local traders to settle personal scores.

Dr Malombe said poll losers were using the contentious Finance Act 2014-2015 to fight his administration.

The governor said his administration was responsive to people's needs and aspirations and it was unfair for players not to be flexible.

Malombe spoke barely a day after traders protested in Kitui town against the increase in licence fees following the enactment of the controversial Finance Act 2014-2015 that took effect on December 5, last year.

"One thing we won't support is where people take their frustrations of losing in the last elections or in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry polls into the activities of the business community. You can't mix political frustrations with other matters," the governor said yesterday.

He said he would remain sensitive to the residents' concerns and pledged to persuade those involved to re-look at the areas in the Finance Act which were hostile.

Malombe spoke when he received a delegation from Dangote Mining Industry, led by Ado Dangote and Muneer Khan, that paid him a courtesy call in his office at Tanathi Complex.

RICHEST MAN

Ado is the brother of Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest man, who is prospecting to mine limestone in Kanziko area in Kitui South constituency.

Malombe contended there were instances where the fees increase in Single Business Permit licences could be gradual to avoid hurting small-scale traders.

He, however, said the executive had no powers to lower or reverse the payments until presented to the county assembly for consideration and review.

The demonstrators, who included Mwingi Central MP Joe Mutambu, politicians Miltonic Mwendwa and Moses Banda, gave the county government a seven-day ultimatum to degazzette the Finance Act or they move to court.