Businesswomen in Kericho town on Tuesday fed 300 residents, including 18 street children, to mark the inauguration of President William Ruto.
They served them soda, bread and music in a tent they had pitched outside Kenton Shop on Tengecha Street.
They included businesswomen Cherry Langat, Catherine Chebet, Florence Kauria and Catherine Tanui of Kenton Shop.
Comedian and musician Godwill Kipchumba entertained the group.
They braved a downpour to celebrate in the swearing-in, which was televised live so they could watch.
The women appealed for lowering business licence fees in Kericho town to improve the business environment and purchasing power.
They said Sh15,000 per year was two expensive and appealed for a "friendlier" Sh2,500 or Sh3,000 per year.
“Some levies are too high and cannot enable them make any profit in the current economic turmoil,” Cherry Langat who runs a second-hand clothing shop said.
Kipchumba and the business women urged President Ruto to start his duties by lowering prices of essential food and agricultural inputs ahead of the next planting season.
For several years Kenyans have suffering from high costs due to global economic hardship from Covid-19, a slumping economy and Russia's invasion of Ukraine affecting food and fuel.
They urged Ruto to ensure oil prices were reduced so they did not increase the price of maize and wheat flour.
Cathrine Tanui of Kenton Shop said economic turmoil has especially hurt mothers and children, many going to bed without food for months.
"We are proud now since President Ruto knows the plight of poor people and will be in a position to fix it soon after takig office," Tanui said.
The celebration included current and former Kericho women leaders and business people led by Cherry Langat and Tanui of Kenton Shop.
