Kenyan Polls: KACITA To Update Traders On Compensation

With only a few days left to the Kenyan polls, Ugandan businessmen are yet to receive compensation for the merchandise they lost in the 2007 post Kenya election violence five years ago.

Issa Ssekito, the spokesperson Kampala City Traders Association-KCITA says that the Kenyan government owes Ugandan businessman 40 million US dollars for the losses they incurred in the 2007 post Kenya election violence. Ssekito says that the Kenyan cabinet okayed the payment, but government is yet to release the compensation money. He wonders what will happen to the compensation, now that the change of government is definite.

During the Post Kenyan election violence, angry mobs targeted goods destined for Uganda, while accusing the Ugandan government of meddling in their elections. Members of the Uganda business community lost vehicles and merchandise amongst other things.

KACITA has resolved to convene a half day meeting this Friday to update the traders on the progress of their compensation and raise awareness on the elections scheduled for Monday.

It follows concerns from Ugandan traders on the risk they may incur on goods transported from the Kenyan port of Mombasa. KACITA has advised the business community to use the longer Dar es Salaam route to the coast despite assurances from the Kenya Ports Authority that there would not be violence.

Kenya goes to the polls on March 4 to elect the President, Senators, County Governors, Members of Parliament, Civic Wards and Women County Representatives.

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