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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua yesterday assured Nairobi traders of the government’s readiness to get rid of unfriendly policies threatening their businesses.

Speaking when he hosted the traders at Harambee House Annex for deliberations on an array of issues they said are an impediment to their businesses, the DP said his office was always open for engagement with the business owners and other Kenyans.

The meeting convened by the DP after the traders sought his audience was attended by Cabinet Secretaries Kithure Kindiki (Interior and National Administration) and Alfred Mutua (Foreign and Diaspora Affairs), Trade Principal Secretary Alfred K’Ombudo, Abubakar Hassan Abubakar (Investment) and Julius Korir (Cabinet Affairs).

Receptive administration

Other top government officials present were Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Board Chairman Anthony Mwaura, Acting KRA Commissioner-General Rispah Simiyu, Kenya Bureau of Standards Managing Director Bernard Njiraini, Anti-Counterfeit Authority Executive Director Robi Mbugua and Director of Immigration Alexander Muteshi and other heads of respective agencies.

Gachagua told the traders to feel free to always reach out to him reiterating the Kenya Kwanza government was an open, receptive administration keen on ensuring growth and success of local businesses.

“This is a government that listens to the people. It is a guiding principle President William Ruto has entrenched in his administration and we are keen to ensure all our doors are open to anyone who wants to raise their grievances with us,” he said.

He said the government would not turn its back on the people who overwhelmingly voted for them saying owners of micro, small and medium enterprises formed the bulk of their supporters.

“The government you elected cannot abandon you. It will always listen to you and ensure your businesses thrive,” he stated.

Comprehensive feedback

The DP asked the traders to allow the government to exhaustively look into the issues and come up with comprehensive feedback to their problems in the next three weeks.

In the meantime, Gachagua assured the traders that the government will roll out quick interventions to cushion their businesses against deterrent policies.