Nairobi, Kenya - More than 2,000 business owners along Mfangano lane, Nairobi have vowed not to pay the over Sh10 million 2016 license fees citing the county's poor amenities.
The traders argue that inaccessible roads compounded with uncollected garbage has reduced customers thus compromising their sales due to stinking garbage and clogged sewage.
They further claimed they are incurring millions in losses considering that averagely a tenant pays Sh25, 000 up to over Sh200, 000 in rent depending on the size of the shop.
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This is besides the numerous license fees ranging from National Environment Management Authority (Nema) averaged at Sh100, 000, occupational health Sh300, 000, public health, fire as well as individual license depending on the business.
"The foul smell of sewage and garbage cannot allow clients to frequent our premises yet we still pay for these services. Even the contracted garbage collectors themselves have refused clean up arguing that the place stinks," said Njenga Gichuhi owner of Njekaga Hawkers Bazaar along the lane.
A letter dated December 23 2015 from the county government gave a go ahead to the owners to repair the road. However this was with strict warning that they will be surcharged if they destroy any underground service installed: “You shall also not expect to be reimbursed the cost of the repair works by the county or any other persons,” read the letter in part signed by Director Public Works F. N. Karanja.
Martha Zuguru who owns an optical outlet said as a result of the directive, they have resorted to applying debris on the road just to improve it for fear of facing unwarranted charges.
“Today, if you cannot even sweep your business premise lest you want to be fined over Sh100, 000 as the county does not entertain private service providers,” she said.
The boycott of license fees has been criticized by the County Roads and Transport Executive Mohammed Abdulahi: “However much we welcome public private partnerships, if we knew that was what they had in mind we would not have given them the green light to repair the roads themselves.”
Abdulahi insisted that the county has been maintaining the roads on time despite the hiccups with contractors and el-nino rains: “We have the correct channels of airing grievances but refusal to pay license is not one of them.
