NAIROBI (SD) – Kenya’s former prime minister Raila Odinga has criticized the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) over alleged harassment of Somali traders, saying Kebs should be concerned with the standards that affect the quality of people’s lives instead of purporting to standardise second hand products.

While speaking at a meeting Somali community in Serena Hotel of Nairobi, the former leader assured the Somali business community in Nairobi that he will be engaging the government to address challenges facing traders in the city.

The ODM leader who was accompanied by Garissa senator Abdul Haji, former Governor Nathif Jama, Wajir Woman Rep Fatuma Gedi, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed also indicated his commitment to ensure equity in the distribution of resources to the counties.

“It is the responsibility of the government to provide an environment for business to thrive,” Odinga said noting a conducive environment is ‘absolutely necessary.’ The former PM who is also the leader of the opposition party ODM highlighted issues facing the business community in Eastleigh.

He mentioned what the traders were punitive taxes, poor road network and garbage collection and drainage.

Odinga also refuted claims that he was against the distribution of national revenue based on other development factors besides population. “I made a comparison between Mandera and Kiambu county. I said it was not right that Mandera with a population of 800,000 should be getting Ksh. 12 billion while Kiambu with a population of 2.5 million getting Ksh. 9 billion,” Odinga said.

“I said it’s not fair to the people of Kiambu and I also qualified that we should not deny the people of Mandera their rights.”