Business Community cry Foul

Mt Elgon Thursday June 08 2023

KNA by Douglas Mudambo

Members of the business community in Kapsokwony town, Mt Elgon Sub county Bungoma County risks arrest due to the numerous loans obtained from Shylock.

Speaking to the security team at Kapsokwony Boys High School Wednesday, led by Kapsokwony town Business community chairman Jacob Chetut, they said that most business community are leaving in fear following money they owe shylocks in town.

Chetut said that most of the business community are small scale and depend on the flow of cash in the township but due to the economic hardship they have been unable to raise enough money to pay back the loans.

The chairman noted that this has seen their loans increasing falling behind deadline agreed upon by the shylocks which has seen some of the shylocks invading there business demanding for payment. 

"We depend on county government officers, National Government officers and government institutions including school who by now have not been funded by the government hence it makes it difficult to trade with them," he noted.

Chetut on the other hand raised a concern on the livestock that moves freely at the market destroying their products, and noted that his office had received numerous cases on the same in the past one year called upon the intervention of the security team.

He said that most of the business persons who have not been allocated with food kiosk are up in their arms on the numerous time they have reported the matter yet no step has been taken to stop the animals.

On security the business community lauded the security team for having minimized cases of burglary in the town. Chetut also urged the business community to cooperate with the security team whenever they get any difficulty while undergoing there day to day activities.

However, he challenged his fellow business community members not only depend on police but also employ watchmen to raise alarm whenever there is any cases of burglary or theft so as the police can respond.

Chetut also added another concern of its members failing to access loans from the county government of Bungoma and asked the sub county administration to respond to their cry.

In a quick rejoinder, Sub county administrator Zadock Mwanga said that it's true business community has not received any loans stating that the national government had not funded counties in the last two financial quarters hence has interfered with county government operations.

Mwanga asked the business community to be patient, informing them that immediately they will be funded then the disburse loans to them.

He called upon the shylocks working with the business community to go slow and understand the high cost of living and the economical difficult time and review there agreement so as they continue to run their business.

Mt Elgon Sub county Deputy county commissioner Benjamin Nzioka directed the security team to use all relevant act of Parliament to prosecute persons allowing livestock town.

The deputy county commissioner also added that during crack down of illicit brew in Kapsokwony town his team will not only arrest persons engaged in the business but also their landlords for promoting illegal business and cautioned landlords on the same.

Nzioka lauded the business community for having worked with his office and sub county administration office to maintain peace and order in the town.

Courtesy ; K. N. A