- Traders plan nationwide shutdown over rising business costs
- Higher customs values spark fresh concerns among importers
- SMEs demand predictable taxes and fairer business conditions
Kenya’s small traders are stepping up their fight against rising taxes and import costs, with traders planning a nationwide business shutdown and demonstrations on August 28 under the banner “Businesses Under Siege.”
The planned action follows a growing disagreement over the cost of bringing goods into the country. This includes an increase in the customs value for general shared cargo from Ksh 2.5 million to Ksh 3.2 million, a 28 per cent increase.
The extra Ksh 700,000 has become a major concern for small importers who use shared containers to bring goods into the country instead of importing full containers on their own.
Traders say the higher amount will increase the cost of importing goods, reduce their profits and use up money that they need to run their businesses. They say this is happening at a time when many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are already facing high operating costs.
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Alliance of Kenya has said the increase is too high for small and medium-sized traders. The group warned that it could increase the cost of goods, reduce profits and force some businesses to close.
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The disagreement has also moved beyond the port. Small traders have started holding back their goods from being cleared in protest against higher taxes, charges and other fees. They have warned that if their concerns are not addressed, they could take the protest further through a nationwide business strike.
The planned August 28 shutdown would take the protest from importers and cargo handlers to shops, markets and other SMEs across the country.
Traders say they are not against paying taxes. However, they want taxes and other business costs to be clear and stable so that they can plan their businesses properly. They say the combined cost of taxes, fees and government charges is making it harder for SMEs to make profits.
The #TradersFightBack and “Businesses Under Siege” campaigns on X have called for fair taxes, clear business costs and better conditions for small businesses. One trader said the sector wants clear and predictable business costs, arguing that frequent changes in government rules make it hard for traders to plan. Another message called on traders to work together to demand a fairer business environment.
The campaign is now bringing together complaints from different markets into one national movement ahead of the planned August 28 shutdown.
By Bernard Magada
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