Isa Sekito said they are keenly watching the political events in Kenya and have advised traders to use Tanzanian route. File photo.
KAMPALA–Following the looming political crisis facing Kenya after National Super Alliance (NASA)’s Raila Odinga announced his withdraw from this month Presidential election re-run,Ugandan traders are living in fear.
Traders have been advised to use Dar-es-salaam Port route and abandon the Mombasa port. Speaking to PML Daily few hours ago, Isa Sekitto, the spokesperson of Kampala City Traders Association, said they are keenly watching the political events in Kenya and have advised traders to use Tanzanian route.
“We are living in fear. Basing on the way things are moving in Kenya, any time, we might see a repeat of 2007-2008,” Sekitto said.
He advised all the traders who have not yet imported goods to wait for the high political temperature in Kenya to simmer.
In 2007, supporters of the opposition went on the streets, refusing to accept the victory of President Mwai Kibaki. The two groups ended up killing each other. Odinga claims he beat Kibaki, the former President in the 2007 election and again defeated President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013 and in the August election.
In 2007, traders lost 400m
Sekitto, however, said that during the chaos, Ugandan traders lost $400m. But up to now the two countries have never compensated the traders.
“We have gone to all those concerned offices but we have never been paid. So, this time around, we are not ready to make huge loses,” Sekitto explained.
Yesterday, NASA supporters returned to the streets to push the electoral commission to make reforms, before the Presidential election. They protested in areas of Nairobi, Lamu, Kisumu, Kakamega, Homa Bay and Mombasa. They also plan to protest every Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.
Trucks stranded at the border following election chaos in Kenya in 2007. File photo.
The demonstrators also want electoral body CEO Ezra Chiloba and 10 other officials, to resign, accusing them of bungling the August 8 poll.
The opposition, led by Raila Odinga are demanding that government to drop the Dubai-based ballots printer Al Ghurair and technology supplier OT-Morpho of France.
Odinga said Jubilee Party has already printed fake ballot papers at a go down in Industrial Area ahead of the repeat polls on October 26.
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