The Mountain Journal
The
trading associations in have petitioned the government to re-open the economy
to mitigate the loss of livelihoods from the effects of Covid-19 pandemic.
The
eight associations representing transport, hospitality, entertainment and
creativity industries backed a motion in parliament urging the government to
concentrate on measures to revive the economy and vaccinate the population.
The
representatives of the associations led by Simon Njoroge said there is a total confusion
amongst traders on the orders from the President on the one hand and the
Judiciary ruling issued on Wednesday.
As
the President extended the curfew and other containment orders this week, the
High Court issued a determination that the orders issued to law enforcement
agencies on the Covid-19 protocols are in breach of the Constitution.
The
motion in the parliament by Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir urging the authority to
do away with all forms of lock downs and concentrate on measures to revive the
economy and vaccinate more people.
The
associations also lamented the continued harassment of their members by police
across the country, and consification of stock from bars and restaurants as
well as outright extortion.
Njoroge
who chairs the National Bar, Hotels and Liquor Traders Association urged the
electorate to lobby MPs to support the motion moved by Mvita MP to open up the
country and use other means to check the spread of Covid-19.
“MPs
need to show that they care for the suffering masses who are hard hit by the pandemic,
by supporting the motion urging to eliminate all forms of lockdowns, curfews
and travel restrictions and replace them with economically friendly containment
measures and vaccination campaigns,” he said.
They
said most businesses operators have obtained bank loans thus being affected by
the continued measures enforced by the government.
Pubs,
Entertainment and Restaurant Association of Kenya (PERAK) Nairobi chairman
Frank Mbogo said that despite the issuance of a new set of protocols in the
Tourism and Wildlife sector, restaurants close at 9pm amid harassment by the
police.
“Police
harassment is most dominant in Nanyuki, Murang’a, Nyeri, Karen, Lang’ata,
Kariobangi, Westlands in Nairobi, Free Area, Bahati, and Kiamunyi in Nakuru,
Kisumu, Kiambu Town, Malindi and Watamu,” said Mbogo.
Cyrus
Githaiga, the National Coordinator of the Market Traders Association, said the
restriction of the hospitality sector has had a ripple effect on the fresh
produce sector.
“Hotels
and restaurants are the biggest consumers of fresh produce and when they are
forced to shut down, we are some of the biggest losers,” said Mr Githaiga.
You can get in touch with our Newdesk through
