The government has assured the business community that the National Trade Development Bill 2025 will harmonize taxation systems and establish clear guidelines to prevent double taxation.
According to the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, the proposed bill also provides for the harmonization of business licensing and permits to eliminate duplication and unnecessary regulatory burdens.
Deputy Director for Domestic Trade at the State Department Joel Munyiri explained that the bill will also seek to restrict trade-related fees that hinder the free movement of goods and services across county boundaries adding that this will ease the burden on traders and promote inter-county trade and economic growth.
Munyiri said Kenya had previously lacked a comprehensive trade law, where issues such as double licensing and multiple levies were among the challenges that have troubled the business community for years.
“There has been a lot of charging for double licenses, and that is something this Bill expressly addresses,” he added.
The Deputy Director further said that the Bill was expected to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the development, facilitation, promotion and regulation of both domestic and international trade, modernize trade laws, boost domestic and export growth, and align policies with Vision 2030.
Speaking during a public participation forum on the proposed statute in Nakuru, the deputy director said if the bill is approved, counties will not be allowed to charge levies on goods moving along national highways unless they provide infrastructure such as designated parking facilities.
He assured that all goods moving along national highways, which are managed by the national government, will not be subject to county charges adding that counties will only levy charges on roads within their jurisdiction for repair and improvement.
The Bill, the official elaborated aims to strengthen coordination of trade-related matters between the national and county governments, enhance collaboration with the private sector and non-state actors, and position Kenya as a competitive trading nation at the regional and global levels.
The participants at the forum were drawn from Nakuru, Baringo and Narok Counties.
The bill also emphasizes inclusivity and capacity development, offering targeted support to micro, small and medium enterprises, women, youth, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups through improved access to finance, skills development, mentorship and professional training.
Munyiri stated that the Bill was crafted to strengthen both domestic and export markets while ensuring better coordination among national and county governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders.
This integrated approach, he observed, seeks to address long-standing gaps in Kenya’s trade ecosystem and create more efficient pathways for economic growth.
The bill is built on the foundation laid by the National Trade Policy of 2017, which emphasised an efficient domestic market and export-led growth.
The proposed legislation focuses on several core areas, including promoting trade, expanding markets, improving regulatory structures, and supporting economic development across all regions of the country.
Munyiri expressed optimism that the Bill will have direct impact on Kenyans through provisions that prioritise local employment and support small-scale traders and farmers. These measures he added reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring that trade policies benefit citizens at all economic levels.
The Bill introduces strict enforcement measures to ensure compliance with its provisions. Companies that fail to meet local content requirements face corporate fines of at least Sh100 million, demonstrating the government’s commitment to protecting domestic interests.
He added that the legislation also introduces provisions on digital trade, e-commerce and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to modernise trade governance and enhance competitiveness.
Munyiri noted that county governments are recognized as key partners in trade development and that the Bill provides mechanisms to strengthen coordination between the two levels of government, the private sector and other non-state actors.
Kenya’s Constitution requires public participation in national governance, and the Ministry of Trade has scheduled a series of consultative forums in response to this mandate. These sessions provide a crucial opportunity for citizens to engage directly with the proposed legislation before it is finalised.
By Esther Mwangi
