Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has proposed that a law be enacted that prevents any government official, led by the President, from engaging in privately owned businesses.
Speaking during a morning interview with Spice FM on Wednesday, July 9, the second Trans Nzoia governor asserted that barring government officials from conducting private businesses will give other citizens a chance to thrive in the business ecosystem, which he notes is dominated by politicians.
Furthermore, Natembeya, who is a vocal critic of President William Ruto's administration, claimed that the move will be the first key step in dismantling cartels, who he claims work closely with government officials.
A cartel is a group of formerly independent businesses or organizations that collude to control the supply, price, or market share of a product or service, often to increase profits.
According to Natembeya, if a government official had private business before being elected, the official should first put it on hold until he/she finishes their term. This will also ensure that government officials focus on their mandate of service delivery to citizens, according to the Governor.
"The government currently does not have the machinery to deal with cartels because it is itself a cartel. The first thing we should do is to ensure that government officials, led by the president, stop doing business, because if they do everything, what will the public do?" the governor said.
"But if you had these engagements before you became a government official, let it be that when you are in a government seat, you leave them because the conflict of interest should be real, and it complicates matters because these business partners are the ones that are engaging in criminal behavior," he added.
The proposal comes just hours after the united opposition called for a nationwide boycott of all businesses, services, and institutions linked to President William Ruto and his allies, following the death of Kenyans and destruction of businesses during demonstrations.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 8, the leaders, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, claimed that they will release a list of businesses owned by government officials.
Furthermore, the opposition claims that members of the public will have a chance to name businesses owned by the president and other government officials for Kenyans to boycott.
"We therefore issue a call to action: boycott all businesses, services, and institutions owned, operated, or publicly linked to this regime and its enablers," the statement read.
