Police use tear gas against traders who march on KRA offices in protest

Police use tear gas against traders who march on KRA offices in protest On Friday, August 28, protests erupted in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) as small traders took to the streets to protest what they consider an "unreasonable tax increase by the Kenya Revenue Agency (KRA)." Police use tear gas against traders who march on KRA offices in protest On Friday, August 28, protests erupted in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) as small traders took to the streets to protest what they consider an "unreasonable tax increase by the Kenya Revenue Agency (KRA)." The demonstrations in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) were led by small traders from commercial centers such as Kamukunji (one of the city's busiest districts, known for wholesale trade, informal workshops, and a vibrant traffic and market scene. The name is also frequently used for the surrounding market and commercial area. Located near the city center, the area includes or borders places like Gikomba, Muthurwa, Eastleigh, and major transport routes. The area is economically significant as it concentrates traders, artisans, and small businesses, particularly in the informal manufacturing sector and wholesale and retail trade. Recent reports also indicate its continued political and administrative importance, with developments impacting local policing and current parliamentary policy). Gikomba (Nairobi's large open-air market, also known as Mitumba, is famous for its secondhand clothing. It is considered one of East Africa's largest informal trading centers and a key hub for everyday retail trade in Kenya. The market is located in Nairobi and offers a wide range of goods, including... Clothing, shoes, vegetables, and household goods. Various sources describe it as the largest or one of the largest open-air secondhand clothing markets in Kenya and East Africa. The market is important because it boosts the Kenyan secondhand clothing trade and provides a livelihood for many traders and related informal jobs. Recent reports indicate that the market is being rebuilt as part of a major redevelopment project along the Nairobi River. The market is also located in Nyamakima, a significant commercial district in central Nairobi known for electronics, mobile phone accessories, fittings, spare parts, and a bustling trading culture. It also has a reputation as a gray market, and historically, the origin of its name is linked by locals to early traders and the sale of minced meat. The area is situated around River Road and Kirinyaga Road and functions as a densely populated retail and distribution hub for goods traded throughout Kenya. It is one of Nairobi's most prominent trading centers, particularly for wholesalers and retailers. The market is organized around River Road and Kirinyaga Road. The main reason is an increase in the Customs Minimum Benchmark (CBM) for consolidated shipping containers by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA): - The benchmark for a 40-foot container rose from KSh 2.5 million to KSh 3.2 million (an increase of 28%, or approximately KSh 700,000 per container). - Small retailers, who typically share shipping containers to import goods (such as clothing and electronics from China), see their margins as being extremely threatened. The protesters gathered at the Kenya National Archives (Tom Mboya Street) and marched toward the Times Tower (KRA headquarters) to deliver a petition. Numerous businesses—including those on Luthuli Avenue—remained closed for security reasons or in solidarity. On the way to the Times Tower, police used tear gas to disperse the protesting crowd and scatter the demonstrators, particularly along Parliament Road and Kenyatta Avenue. Running battles ensued. The KRA clarified that the 3.2 million KSh does not represent a flat tax rate, but rather serves as a simplified benchmark for risk management. Traders are free to deconsolidate their cargo and declare it individually. However, from the perspective of small traders, this procedure is bureaucratically impractical and financially unfeasible. Representatives of the traders (including the MSME Alliance of Kenya, an umbrella organization for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya that acts as a unified advocate for the sector vis-à-vis the government, tax authorities, and other stakeholders) announced they would continue the protests every Friday until the KRA is willing to negotiate. https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/126590-police-fire-teargas-traders-marching-towards-kra-offices-protest