Kiambu market traders decry high levies

Kangangi market traders have decried the high levies imposed on them by the Kiambu government without explanation.

The traders were in shock after they were each handed an arrears receipt, which had no stamp.

The arrears range from Sh30,000 to more than Sh100,000.

Josphat Wanjohi a market official who spoke to the Star on Friday said most traders are elderly women who pay their stalls promptly.

He said the price ranges from Sh250 to Sh300 monthly.

“We are pleading with Governor Kimani Wamatangi to address the matter, since the traders were ambushed with arrears, which were not explained,” Wanjohi said.

The official said the receipts bore only the name of the trader and how much they owe the county government.

Alice Muthoni was handed a receipt of Sh54,635.

She produced receipts dating to 2018, which were up to date on payment of Sh300 monthly for her stall.

Muthoni said she has never failed to pay, since the revenue collector used pass by.

“We used to pay fees to the revenue collector and we were issued with a receipt, which I have since 2018. I wonder why I was issued with an arrears receipt, this could be a con game,” she said.

Jane Kimani who owes the county Sh36,633 said since Wamatangi's administration took over the revenue collectors were removed and are yet to be replaced.

“The county did not hold any meeting with the traders to explain how they came about the arrears. The unstamped receipt, which has a letter from the Kiambu government looks fake,” Kimani said.

The traders said during former governor Ferdinand Waititu's tenure the traders had arrears totalling to more than Sh4 million, which were waived through the county assembly.

In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic the traders did not transact any business since all markets had been closed.

During former governor James Nyoro's regime, the traders were also exempted from tax to cushion them from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The traders resumed payments of their market space in 2022.

However, those selling outside the market were exempted from payments and are yet to pay market fees.

“We pay for our spaces yet those who sell from outside the market, don't pay tax. Now we're being handed arrears receipts. This is inhuman,” trader Esther Njeri said.

The traders also complained of the poor state of the market.

They said during the rainy season they are unable to transact business inside the market, yet there are no signs of the market being renovated.

The traders now want Governor Wamatangi to intervene on the matter and have a seat down with them.

They said they should agree on a waiver of the arrears and start afresh on market revenue collection.