Traders in Kiptere town, Belgut constituency, and Kericho county have taken to the streets to protest an increase in the cost of business permits.

The traders assembled in Soin, Sigowet constituency, and argued the walk was illegal.

Cornelius Bett, a company owner, stated, "I paid Ksh. 4,000 for a permit last year, and it has doubled this year to Ksh. 8,000."

PHOTO | COURTESY Traders

Dickson Cheruiyot, another dealer, begged the governor to intervene.

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"We are very disappointed with the happenings and call on the governor to act," he told reporters.

Butchery owner Christopher Ngeno accused the county administration of failing to meet the demands of its entrepreneurs.

He cited the business center's unsanitary conditions, which put the health of the vendors and purchasers at risk of infection.

"It's bad enough that the cost of permits has been hiked, but what is worse is that we don't see how the money is being used because the state of the market is deplorable," he said.

"We are feeling squeezed to a corner. We urge the governor to act or we will be forced to stop paying taxes as we cannot see the money working on the ground."

Vallary Rogony echoed her colleague trader's comments, noting that the governor was unavailable for comment at publication.