Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and stakeholders in Machakos have given their full support for the Draft National Trade Development Bill 2025.
The bill seeks to modernise and develop standards for fair trade in the wholesale and retail sectors, as discussed during a public participation forum.
The forum was held by the Department of Trade at Machakos Social hall, where the residents acknowledged the draft Bill on fair trade practices, which the residents said will enhance equity, transparency and sustainability in their business.
The public participation forum aimed to gather views from Machakos residents as part of a nationwide consultation on the establishment of a comprehensive Legal and Institutional framework for the development, facilitation and regulation of trade in Kenya.
According to the Trade Principal Secretary, Regina Ombam, whose speech was delivered by Assistant Director of Trade Isaac Wagocho, the Bill seeks to harmonise and modernise trade governance in line with the constitution and the current economic realities.
Furthermore, she said that the Bill aims to strengthen coordination of trade-related matters between the national and county governments, as well as enhance collaboration with private sectors and non-state actors, thus positioning Kenya as a competitive trading nation globally.
“The overall objective of the Bill is to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the development, facilitation, promotion and regulation of both domestic and international trade,” said Ombam.
On matters of inclusivity, the draft Bill emphasises the importance of inclusivity and capacity development, where it provides targeted support to MSMEs, Persons with Disabilities, women and youth, which in turn fosters economic empowerment and reduces inequality within the business community.
However, trade being a key driver in the economy, Ombam says it faces several hurdles, such as duplication of licences and fees and barriers when traders try to move goods across counties and that’s where the Bill comes in to provide harmonisation of business licensing and permits to eliminate duplication and unnecessary barriers.
Kelvin Munywoki, a 53-year-old trader from Kangundo, commended the draft Bill in matters of harmonising licences, where he has faced challenges transporting his goods in different counties by being charged additional charges for the same goods, which he notes is driven by overlapping regulations between counties, agencies and the national government.
Benson Mulwa, a trader from mutituni market, said his business is almost collapsing because of the multiple highway fees he was required to pay while traversing several counties, which increases the cost of doing business.
He is therefore forced to hike the price of his products, resulting in squeezed profit margins, which reduces the consumers’ purchasing capability.
Consequently, the Bill addresses the need for improved access to trade finance, where the Ministry will promote access to affordable credit for MSMEs, where innovative finance mechanisms will be encouraged and policies adopted to attract investment in business.
The Draft Bill reflects the government’s commitment to formalising the informal sector and boosting local production while reducing the cost of doing business and promoting inclusive growth for small businesses.
By Anne Kangero
