Reprieve for small-scale traders as Sonko waives daily charges

Small traders in Nairobi County received a boost yesterday after Governor Mike Sonko waives charges imposed on them.

Speaking during a Jubilee Party rally in Dandora on Sunday October 1, Governor Sonko said that the low income earners will no longer be charged the Ksh50 license fee. Similarly the Governor also advised moderate income earners to only acquire a single business permit.

“Starting from tomorrow do not pay the Ksh50 license fee because even if you pay the money does not reach the County’s coffers instead it is goes to cartels. Those with supermarkets and salons should acquire a single business permit,” said Sonko.

Earlier this month Nairobi Deputy Governor, Polycarp Igathe, instructed the County’s Chief Officer to stop the daily collection of the  Ksh50 license fee from hawkers, Ksh250 from kiosks, Ksh50 from luggage trolleys and Ksh500 charged on offloading of goods.

A spot check conducted by Citizen Digital on Sunday revealed that the small scale traders have been paying more than the official charges.

Simon Mbugua, a fruiterer at Marikiti market in Nairobi, lamented that he has been paying more than the stipulated Ksh500.

“We get oranges from Tanzania and we pay a Ksh7,000  fee even before offloading the goods,” said Mbugua.

This is among the reforms Governor Sonko is putting in place to better the lives of Nairobi residents having accused his predecessor Dr Evans Kidero’s administration of massive corruption scandals and failure to deliver to the common ‘mwananchi’.