Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1218950,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1218950/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 93,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Embakasi Central, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mejjadonk Gathiru",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives regarding unfair trading practices by foreign investors in the country. Hon. Speaker, the country has been experiencing an influx of foreign investors in various sectors, including manufacturing and agriculture, among other sectors. While these investments can bring much needed capital and expertise, there has been concern that such investments, particularly in trade, are also occasioning unfair competition to local businesses, especially the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nairobi City and the surrounding counties. Of note, foreign traders like the case of China Square that recently aroused hue and cry among local traders, take advantage of economies of scale and access to goods manufactured in their home country, which they retail and even hawk locally at prices that are far lower than what local traders can manage due to high costs resulting from Import Duty and supply chain cost. The impact of the unfair competition and trading practice is significant and if not checked, local traders stand the risk of operating at a loss or being forced to exit the market, which will result to loss of jobs, decline in national revenue and general reversal of the significant gains that have been made growing the economy from the base. It is against this background that I seek a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives on the following: (i) Could the Chairperson outline the policies and regulatory mechanism that guide licensing of foreign investors to operate retail businesses in the country and the circumstances under which China Square was cleared to undertake such business in the country? (ii) What measures have been put in place to ensure that local traders are cushioned from unfair trading practices and competition from foreign investors, particularly in retail trade, including measures for protection and promotion of local investments and enterprises with a view to ensuring long-term growth and development in the Kenyan economy. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}