MP Farah Maalim:Monopoly is killing every sector in this country

By Robert Mutasi

Member of Parliament for Dadaab Constituency Farah Maalim has claimed that many economic sectors in the country are vanishing due to monopolization.

He has made it clear that the monopolization of some sectors will lead to low level of competition in the market.

Speaking in an interview with Citizen Tv on Tuesday,the MP claimed the monopoly is caused by some individuals who want to dominate in the market and alone for their personal benefits.

He said the cottage industries are the most victims of monopoly since they will no longer exist due to dominance of bigger industries.

Maalim expressed that some of the sectors have lasted longer in the country hindering the small scale sectors to penetrate.

"Every sector is there for 10 years,it is there not for any other reason but just to make sure that it monopolizes everything,"said MP Maalim.

Further,the lawmaker has stated that the sectors that are supposed to be operated by the small and medium business people are being overtaken by larger businesses owned by significant figures in power.

The politician highlighted that the country is at risk of growing even higher in monopoly since rich individuals are taking over every sector to make sure they are in control.

“The timber sector is gone to monopoly,what we call the milk sector is gone to monopoly.You see the oil sector is going tomorrow monopoly,”he argued.

Maalim has added that competition is what makes businesses prosper but monopolization will eradicate it and result in huge loss to the other similar sectors that are weak and make any effort to enter into the market.

Maalim,who is the former deputy speaker of the National Assembly from 2008-2013,said the country does not apply the antitrust laws to regulate the monopoly.

The antitrust laws prescribe unlawful mergers and business practices in general terms, leaving courts to decide which ones are illegal based on the facts of each case.