Do business without fear, Rigathi Gachagua tells small traders

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addresses an interdenominational church service at Nanyuki stadium, Laikipia county on January 8, 2023 [Jonah Mwangi, Standard]

Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua says the government is ready to protect small scale traders and ensure they get maximum profits from their businesses.

Gachagua, who was speaking during an interview on Inooro TV on Sunday, January 8, said he and president William Ruto were elected on the promise of promoting investments by ordinary Kenyans and empowering them financially.

Hence, he has assured small scale traders of security and asked them to run their businesses without fear.

"Our aim is to ensure that anybody who was making a profit of sh1000 [before president William Ruto's government], will grow his or her profits but not go lower," said Gachagua in the interview.

The Deputy President has been at loggerheads with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over the latter's decision to relocate long-distance PSVs from the Central Business District (CBD) to Green Park terminus.

Gachagua argues the decision will hurt businesses and especially of people from the Mt Kenya region whom he says overwhelmingly voted for Sakaja.

The Deputy President's sentiments have attracted criticism from leaders who opine that he is being tribal, something he has dismissed.

"If people call me a tribalist because I am pushing to protect businesses, then let it be," said Gachagua.

On his part, Sakaja has told off critics trying to create a rift between him and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

"I respect the Deputy President and I would like to remind those speaking from different regions of Kenya trying to cause a rift between the county and national government and Nairobians on tribal lines that they will not succeed. There are duties for the county and national government and we will work together," Sakaja said.