The country’s business community has condemned the Government for failure to curb the rising insecurity in the country, which they say is not just hurting their businesses but is a threat to the economy.

Citing discontent in the manner in which the Government is handling the alarming levels of insecurity in the country, the private sector has hinted that it might just protest by withholding taxes.

CALL OFF SABA SABA

In addition, the business community has also called on the opposition to desist from raising political tensions in the country and has urged the leaders to call off the Saba Saba rally scheduled for Monday.

According to the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the private sector can reduce unemployment from the current rate of about 40 per cent to 20 per cent within the next decade and even zero by 2030 but this cannot be achieved in the absence of peace and constant political temperatures.

“We are convinced that the public rallies dubbed ‘Saba Saba’ are likely to create more tensions, anxiety among investors and Kenyans in general, and if not well managed may degenerate into violence and looting,” said Vimal Shah, Chairman KEPSA.

“We are asking the Government and the opposition to lead from the front. We pay taxes so don’t tell us about security. Our job is to pay taxes so that the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary can work. When we have done our job, give us the services we need,” said Polycarp Igathe, director at KEPSA.

Igathe has also maintained that the business community will hold the opposition accountable if any private sector assets are on Saba Saba and if, heaven forbid, any lives are lost that day.

COURT CLEARS CORD TO HOLD SABA SABA RALLY

The Nairobi High Court has today given Raila Odinga and his team a nod to hold their Saba Saba rally on Monday but warned that the leaders will be held accountable for any chaos or public disturbance that might erupt from the occasion. At the same time, the court has forbidden the opposition from calling for mass action.

Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko had moved to court to have the Saba Saba rally stopped on grounds that it was likely to heighten the already high political tensions in the country.

According to Justice Isaac Lenaola, who made the ruling, Cord has a constitutional right to hold their rally and therefore could not grant orders stopping it.