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Belgut MP; Kenyans Should Access Cheaper Commodities, Kuria Was Wrong On Stopping China Square

SK 3 years ago 2 min read

Nelson Koech, Member of Parliament (MP) for Belgut, now claims that Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria erred in condemning China Square, a new Chinese merchant in the Kenyan market.

This comes after CS Kuria stated a few weeks after the start of China Square that Chinese investors are welcome in Kenya “but as manufacturers, not traders,” and that the premise where the shopping center is situated should thus be given to local traders.

Mr. Cheng, the owner of China Square, has even accepted his offer to set up a manufacturing facility in Kenya and form a distribution partnership with small-scale traders in Gikomba, Nyamakima, Eastleigh, Kamukunji, Muthurwa, and River Road.

In response to CS Kuria’s sentiments, MP Koech stated that it is unfair to criminalize Mr. Cheng despite the fact that he has fulfilled all of the requirements for establishing a business in Kenya.

On Citizen TV’s Daybreak program on Monday, the Belgul legislator stated that the government should instead open its doors to foreign investors and create incentives to ensure that the local market is protected from market depreciation.

“On this, I personally think the minister was wrong on so many fronts. We must be people who attract investments. This Chinese (Mr Cheng) fulfilled all the requirements,” he said.

“Let him provide incentives for businesses in Nyamakima without interfering with businesses that are licenced and operating legally in this country.”

MP Koech further argued that the Chinese retailer is paying taxes as equally as any other trader in the nation and should not be crucified for selling the same commodities found in the local market at more affordable rates.