Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry West pokot county branch has expressed concern over increasing cases of insecurity along volatile borders in counties of North rift region.
The KNCCI county branch chairman Mark Lotee observed that re-emergence of banditry attacks had drastically affected businesses along the borders in the counties with North Rift Region Economic Block (NOREB).
Lotee raised concern over inability of businesses to operate freely at the border points, saying it has also affected transportation of supplies to the region, as the traders avoid the area due to insecurity.
He said the region is endowed with many untapped resources, saying business communities are unable to tap them after re-emergence of banditry activities in the area.
“Counties are unable to collect revenue due to banditry activities the government needs to be serious and beef up security in the regions,” he said.
The chair spoke yesterday at Kapenguria during business stakeholder’s forum where all financial institutions sensitized business people on the best ways of doing their operations.
Lotee said that there is low liquidity flow in the North rift region due to failure by both counties and National government to pay contractors.
“Contractors who offered services to both governments have not been paid their dues and this has adversely affected flow of cash in this region. Many complaints have been raised by the contractors due to non-payment,” he said.
The West Pokot chair said they are on a mission to bring all businesses together within the region to address issues affecting them.
By John Saina
