Kenya: Agreement to eliminate multiple fees on goods transported across counties

The cost of doing business in the country is expected to reduce drastically after the National and County Governments agreed in principle to eliminate multiple levies and fees charged on goods transported across counties. Such charges will be restricted to the county of origin, essentially saving traders and businesses from numerous CESS and other fees currently levied by county governments.

The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade and the Council of Governors will now meet to develop an agreement for the 47 governors’ signatures. The implementation of the resolution will be welcome news, especially to traders who ferry goods across county borders and who have to part with money for various charges independently demanded by counties. The charges are inevitably passed on to consumers, raising the cost of goods. Under the proposed agreement, only the county originating the goods will now be expected to impose the levies.