The Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 conducted public hearings on the County Licensing (Uniform Procedures) Bill, 2022, in Kakamega and Nyeri counties. 

The Bill aims to standardize licensing procedures across county governments, promoting consistency and certainty.

In sessions held in Kakamega Social Hall and Nyeri Town CDF Hall, stakeholders expressed the frustration of obtaining multiple licenses, citing it as a key obstacle to conducting business.

Representatives of the Kenya Pharmaceutical Association while making their submissions before the Hon Kitany-led sub-committee revealed that apart from paying for two levels of government, they also have to shoulder the additional burden of paying fees to their professional body to operate chemists.

Committee Vice Chairperson Hon. Marianne Kitany (Aldai) led the team in Kakamega, while Hon. Robert Gichimu (Gichugu) led a sub-committee engaging residents in Nyeri.

In response to concerns raised by the public, Members acknowledged the punitive nature of multiple taxation and advocated for business-friendly licensing regimes.

The Committee is also set to visit Uasin Gishu and Embu counties.