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President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday morning mad an impromptu visit to the Embakasi Inland Container Terminal accompanied by top officials in his government.
According to a brief from State House, the President was acting on complaint by traders over their goods that are being held by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
"President Kenyatta made an impromptu visit to the Embakasi ICD where seized containers are being stored.
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President Uhuru Kenyatta with top government officials at Embakasi Inland Container Terminal (PSCU)
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President Uhuru Kenyatta with top government officials at Embakasi Inland Container Terminal (PSCU)
"The visit was prompted by complaints by traders whose goods have been confiscated," the brief read.
President Kenyatta was accompanied by Interior CS Fred Matiang'i, PS Karanja Kibicho and DCI boss George Kinoti.
Anti-counterfeit Task Force
The president was also in the company of members of the Anti-illicit working group that was launched in April 2018 to combat the influx of counterfeit infiltration in Kenya.
Importers and Small Traders Association of Kenya (ISTA) complained to the presidency over 600 containers that are being detained at the inland port preventing them from continuing with their businesses.
According to KPA, the containers are being held over unremitted Sh1.8 billion tax.
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Containers at the Nairobi inland port
Deputy President William Ruto also recently directed that the containers should be released after an alleged millions in losses incurred by the traders.
"As government, we have said the goods should be released and traders allowed to do their business," he stated.
EALA MP Simon Mbugua added: "Most shops along Kirinyaga road and Gikomba have been closed since traders have run out of stock. Most of these are small traders who depend on the supply that is now held at the port."