Following complaints from small and medium businesses concerning delay of imported goods, President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, and the Kenya Bureau of Standards not to do additional inspection of goods at the points of entry, except for legitimate suspected breach cases.
Speaking at Narok stadium during the Madaraka day fete, President Kenyatta noted the business community has complained that KEBS has constrained the importation of goods by SMEs. “KEBS inspection exercises have been leading to delays in the release of imports,” he noted. This comes days after the Head of State ordered the release of confiscated goods at Embakasi Inland Container Depot within three weeks, during an impromptu visit at the depot.
Concerning pending payments by the national and County governments, President Kenyatta has directed all accounting officers to settle all pending payments that do not have audit queries, on or before June 30th. “The government is the largest consumer of goods and services in our economy. Many small businesses are built to service this demand, unfortunately, pending payments have negatively affected many businesses, particularly those whose bulk of capital is now locked in non-payment,” he said, adding that this has reduced overall spending and business activity in the economy.