Lodwar- May 10, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

Traders in Turkana County have been given 21 days to comply with a new directive that bars them from operating both wholesale and retail businesses under a single license.

In a public notice issued on June 9, the County Government warned that failure to comply by the June 30 deadline would attract penalties and lead to business closure, license revocation, and legal action.

The directive, issued by the Roseline Aite, the County Executive Member for Trade, Gender, Youth Affairs, and Tourism invokes Section 26 (6) of the Turkana County Finance Act 2025. Issued through the Directorate of Trade, Weights and Measures, this notice requires business owners to choose either retail or wholesale operations.

“This move is aimed at enforcing fairness in business and improving compliance with the licensing framework,” said CECM Aite.

The CECM reported that the office had received reports linking the practice of dual trading predominantly to wholesalers, who are accused of undercutting retailers by selling goods directly to final consumers.

“It is true that the office has always received complaints from small scale and micro traders operating retails businesses of the unfair situation created by wholesalers. This must stop. The market is wide enough to accommodate all the categories,” she explained.

Retailers have long decried the arrangement, which they say has eroded their customer base and made it difficult to compete.

“The wholesalers have turned into retailers, and we are the ones suffering. They buy in bulk and sell at prices we cannot match,” said Geofry Ewote, a retail trader at Kakuma market.

The new measure comes at a time when the County is rolling out programmes to promote micro-enterprises, with the aim of expanding market access and enabling more residents to enter the formal economy.

The CECM argued that a more structured business environment will not only protect small traders but also improve local revenue collection.

“This is not just about enforcement, it is about building a fair playing field and ensuring that traders contribute their share to the county’s development,” CECM Aite said.

Traders have welcomed the move, saying it could restore order in the marketplace and reduce unfair competition.

The County has urged affected traders to visit the nearest revenue offices for guidance on how to amend their licenses before the deadline.