Mt Kenya MPs demand release of Sh12 billion worth of goods held at port

Several leaders from Mt Kenya region have demanded unconditional release of goods worth Sh12 billion being held at the Port of Mombasa.

They said the goods belong to small-scale traders from the region who are suffering after their goods were detained.

The MPs, Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Jude Njomo (Kiambu), Anthony Kiai (Mukurweini)), George Kariuki (Ndia), Benjamin Mwangi (Embakasi Central), Mwangi Gakuya (Embakasi North), Catherine Waruguru (Laikipia) and Gathoni Wamuchomba (Kiambu) also expressed concern over influx of foreigners they said are doing non-technical jobs that Kenyans can comfortably do.

Some of the foreigners, they said, have been employed as drivers. Others, mainly Chinese, are hawkers with some selling tea at construction sites.

The leaders who spoke at Parliament called on Trade Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo to intervene and have the goods released.

They accused the multi-agency team set up to crack down on contraband and counterfeit goods of harassing small-scale traders who they said can't even service their loans.

“Small business people are becoming a soft target of rogue law enforces. Despite many resolutions between government and the traders, their good are still being held,” said Nyoro.

“We must guard the few jobs. Our markets are full retail shops owned by foreigners which is not right,” Ndindi said.

"Despite a meeting between the traders and President Uhuru Kenyatta, the goods have not been released," said Njomo.

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