DP Gachagua will meet Nyamakima traders to talk about alleged “China traders” take over after the China Square success news recently.
The appointment with Gachagua was announced by Anne Nyokabi, organizing secretary for the Importers and Small Traders Association.
According to Ms. Nyokabi, Mr. Gachagua made the appointment after the traders threatened to hold a mass protest to support the principle of profit-guaranteed pricing.
“We wanted to demonstrate against the government following serious infiltration of our business space by foreigners especially from China and Pakistan,” she said.
Although some economic experts have cautioned that this could undermine the global concept of trade liberalization and lead to pricing cartels, local traders contend that they should be allowed to manage the wholesale and retail ends of the value chain.
The meeting was called in response to the uproar caused by the opening of China Square, a general merchandise retailer with prices that are typically 45 percent less than those of locally owned businesses.
Moses Kuria, the trade secretary, had previously stated that the government was going to argue for the closure of China Square, only to reverse course.
“I have today given an offer to Prof Paul Wainaina who is the Kenyatta University Vice Chanselor, to buy out the lease for China Square, Unicity Mall and hand it over to the Gikomba, Nyamakima, Muthurwa and Eastleigh Traders Association. We welcome Chinese investors to Kenya as manufacturers, not traders,” Moses Kuria said.
READ ALSO:President Ruto to name former Senator Cleophas Malala as UDA secretary general
