Africa-Press – Kenya. Trade and Investments Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has directed the importation of bar soap following an increase in the price of the commodity. Kuria on Saturday said he is allowing the importation of bar soap to protect consumers from the price hike.
This is after noting that the price of bar soap has increased by up to 45 per cent. “To mitigate this mischief, I have authorised the importation of bar soaps in order to protect the consumers,” the CS said.
He blamed the hike in bar soap prices on ‘the edible oil mafia’ saying it is an attempt to thwart government efforts to grow the edible oils industry.
“In their misguided efforts to frustrate government efforts to streamline the edible oils industry, the edible oils Mafia have now hiked the price of bar soaps, a critical by product in the value chain by about 45 per cent,” he said.
Last week on Thursday, the CS said he will not allow any cartel in the edible oils industry to intimidate him. This is after players from the industry moved to court to bar him from scrapping of 35 per cent duty on the importation of edible oil.
“Sued over a proposal! Good Lawd! These cartels have had it smooth for far too long, they will stop at nothing. But an irresistible force will meet an immovable object. Watch this space,” Kuria said.
Kuria sought to substitute the 35 per cent duty on importation with a 10 per cent export and investment promotion levy on imports. He claimed the proposal was meant to support local manufacturing in the edible oils value chain. The CS has previously said the business was controlled by a few individuals, and that is what the government wants to do away with.
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