The ministry of trade halted the imports four months ago as a measure of stemming the spread of Covid-19. Many restrictions put in place with the government have since been lifted and the traders are positive the ban on imports will soon be lifted.

The Mitumba Association of Kenya called on Trade CS Betty Maina to lift the ban. The Association said that its members are ready to observe all Covid-19 health protocols to ensure all products in the market are safe.

“Every week of delay means approximately 35,000 traders are seeing their stocks get depleted. This is despite the fact that the World Health Organisation has not prohibited the movement of goods or commodities as a measure to contain the Covid-19 pandemic,” said the association’s chairperson Teresia Njenga.

International flights to and from Kenya resumed from 1^st August with specific routes only. The resumption of flights gives hope to the traders who are at risk of closing their enterprises.

The Mitumba industry serves millions of Kenyans and is key to getting the Kenyan economy back to where it was before the pandemic.