Nelson Koech, the member of parliament for the Belgut constituency, says that Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria was wrong to order the closure of the famous china square.
The Belgut mp said that it was unfair for Moses Kuria to criminalize the Chinese entrepreneur, yet he had met all the legal requirements to set up shop in the country. In a tv interview, nelson koech said that the government should instead open its doors to international investors and create incentives to make sure that the local market is protected from market devaluation.
"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." his sentiments come after trade cs Moses Kuria said that Chinese investors are welcome in Kenya "but as manufacturers, not traders," and that the establishment where the shopping hub is located could therefore be given to local vendors.
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Moses Kuria made an offer to the owner of the china square to instead set up a manufacturing plant in the country and work with small-scale traders in areas such as Gikomba, Nyamakima, Eastleigh, Kamukunji, Muthurwa, and River Road.
MP Koech said that the Chinese retail chain pays the same taxes as any other trader in the country and should not be condemned for selling the same merchandise found in the local market at lower prices. He added that the introduction of more retail market players would be critical in enhancing the country's economy.
Nelson Koech stated that we should allow everyone to operate and provide opportunities to obtain products at a lower cost, as well as create a lot of competition for us to get good value for money. The same effect is sourced from wherever it is sourced, and this Chinese trader pays the same taxes as the Kenyan trader.
