Small scale traders want the chinese to go back home

Small and medium scale traders yesterday marched to the Prime Minister’s office to protest the influx of Chinese retail traders in Kenya.

The traders held a procession from their business premises in Eastleigh to the premier and then to parliament to present petitions on their grievances, caused by the Chinese.

The petition that is drafted by the Kenya World Wide Importers and Traders Association (KWITA) on behalf of the trader’s states that the Chinese traders are bringing unnecessary competition by importing goods from their country that would otherwise be sold by the Kenyan traders.

KWITA representative Ben Mutahi said that the livelihoods of the Kenyan traders were being threatened by the many Chinese business men.

“We want them to come as investors not as small scale farmers. We are not enemies with the Chinese, but we will not allow this if it is not a government policy. ,” said Mr Mutahi.

The petition further states that the negligence of the Kenya Immigration Ministry has led to an alarming rate of Chinese flowing into the country to do import and retail trade, that will lead to mass unemployment of young Kenyans.

Mr Silas Kibiku a mobile accessories supplier insisted that the Chinese should not be allowed to trade as retailers but instead trade only as suppliers.

Mr Kibiku added that it is unfair that the Kenyan government allows the Chinese to hawk in the streets yet Kenyan traders cannot do the same in China.

“They are hurting us and yet they have no work permits. They supply us with goods and retail them to our customers. Who will we sell to then,” Said Mr Kibiku.

The Kenya traders also complained to the Chinese government on their laxity to issue visas of not more than two weeks to them, allowing them to visit China and get products to sell to Kenyans.

They insisted that the Chinese are reluctant to give Kenyan traders visas so as to provide an avenue for the Chinese traders to come to Kenya and sell their products at a cheaper price.

George Ngugi an electronics trader said that in the past he would be given a visa for not less than six months to do his business, but now he is limited to 14 days.

“The government should ensure foreigners do not do the same work as Kenyans, or else we will be jobless. I need at least 21 days in China to equip myself sufficiently for my business to be fruitful, “concluded Mr Ngugi.

The protesters were addressed by the Dujis Member of Parliament Adan Duale, Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale and Nominated Member of Parliament Amina Abdala at the parliament buildings.

Mr Duale said that he had already petitioned the Trade Minister Moses Wetangula on the issue and a discussion on solutions will take place in not less than 5 days.

“We have asked the minister to bring the Chinese to parliament. We should protect our small business people. We cannot allow the Chinese to do our jobs,” said Mr Duale.

Mr Khalwale insisted that the Chinese should only do the jobs that the Kenyans cannot do whereas Ms Abdala emphasized the importance of protecting the small industry against foreigners.

The traders have given the immigration ministry seven days to issue a comprehensive response or they will stage a mass demonstration and take legal action on the Chinese.