Counties hindering free trade with double taxation

Richard Ngatia, President KNCCI.

One of the major concerns raised by various stakeholders during recent consultative engagements with the Senate Committee on Trade was the high cost of transporting goods in the country.

Stakeholders, including our members, voiced concerns about the multiple cesses and other secondary taxes slapped on cargo in transit. For instance, if you are moving cargo from Mombasa to Nairobi, each county subjects transporters to cess. During our meeting, also attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and SMEs Simon Chelugui and his Tourism counterpart Peninah Malonza, we detailed how this double or treble taxation is hindering the smooth flow of goods to markets.