EABC reminds Kenya to compensate Rwandese, Ugandan investors

DAILY NEWS Reporter

EABC CEO, Ms Lilian Awinja.

THE East African Business Council (EABC) demands Kenya to compensate Uganda and Rwanda traders whose properties worth over $47 million were destroyed during the 2008 post-election chaos.

Sixteen Ugandan and Rwandan traders who saw their trucks and goods destroyed along the Northern Corridor (Nairobi-Eldoret-Kampala highway), have been suffering in silence after their eight years-efforts to get their compensation through diplomatic channels, have born no fruits.

In its engagement with Kenya’s Deputy President, William Rutto in his residence at Karen in Nairobi on Tuesday, the EABC sought an update on the issue of compensation for Ugandan and Rwandese investors.

“We would like to know the status of the compensation of the Ugandan and Rwandese investors who lost property and goods worth $47, 557 081.00 as a result of the 2007/2008 post-election violence following the Kenyan general election” presented the EABC CEO, Ms Lilian Awinja.

The EABC, an apex body of business associations from the five East African partner states, also underscored the importance for Kenya to enhance peace and security along the Northern Corridor, as a major transit route.

Specifically, EABC requested Kenya to guarantee the regional business community that it will enhance peace and security of property for businesses established and transiting through Kenya before, during and after the 2017 general election in Kenya.

“The Northern Corridor plays a critical role in transport facilitation of goods from Mombasa to Kigali, Kampala, South Sudan, and DRC and should be kept secure for purposes of movement of goods along the corridor and the multiplier impact, which generates economic growth in the region,” said Ms Awinja.

In his response, Kenya’s Deputy President, Mr William Rutto directed the cabinet secretary for finance, Mr Henry Rotich, to convene a meeting as soon as possible with EABC key players, to solve the issue once and for all.

According to Mr Rutto, the meeting should also be attended by the internal security cabinet secretary, Maj Gen Joseph Ole Nkaisserry, Attorney General and other relevant officials to conclude the matter that took eight years. Mr Rutto also guaranteed security to the business community before, during and after the forthcoming general elections in 2017.