WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT EL NIÑO, THIKA TRADERS TELL COUNTY GOVT.

THIKA business community is lamenting of incurring great loses due to the snail pace at which the on going construction works of Kenyatta Highway is being done. It is now eight months since the commencement of the works but according to them, the contractor has barely done 10%. 

According to them, traders along the highway have been having a hectic time doing business due to the interruptions brought about by the contractor, making it difficult for their clients to be attended to. Their greatest worry is now the impending El Niño rains which they fear would cause great damage to their businesses as well as pause the danger of collapsing buildings.

Speaking on behalf of the members of Thika District Business Association (TDBA) during the Bamburi Cement Business Forum at the Coconut Grill Restaurant on Wednesday evening, TDBA secretary Mr. Wanyoike appealed to The County Government of Kiambu to come to their rescue, saying that as tax and rate payers of this county, they had the right to a conducive business environment. He said that it was imperative their views were considered each time public infrastructure was being undertaken near their business premises.

The chairman of the association on his part, took advantage of the forum to inform the members that they had registered a housing scheme, the Cactus Housing Co-operative Society Ltd. that was selling shares to willing members who wished to invest in their real estate scheme. 

Registration Fee, he said, was sh.2,000 with each member required to invest a minimum of sh.5,000 in shares to enjoy a cheap housing project. He said that they were in the process of  partnering with Bamburi Cement Company Ltd. to erect low cost houses for the members.

On its part, Bamburi Cement, through its sales representatives Mr. Arthur Bore and Mr. Bernard Kosgei, said that they, in partnership with LAFARGE, a French Financial firm, had come up with Maskani Initiative that constructed low cost houses. A one-bedroomed house under this project cost as little as sh.750,000.

Athi River Steel plant Ltd's sales representative Mr. Aman Berhal put the members through their products and explained to them the advantages of using their steel products in their construction.

The business forum was attended by over a hundred small, medium and mega business entrepreneurs doing their trade in Thika Town.

Their next AGM meeting will take place at the same venue on 9th October this year. 

Meanwhile, TDBA is inviting all Thika-based business persons and entrepreneurs for the 2nd edition of their Thika Business Trade Fair to take place from the 19th-21st Nov 2015 at the Mama Ngina Gardens opposite Maathai Supermarket. 

Interested parties are asked to book their spaces early to avoid any inconveniences. 

For more details, you can call 0721 64 86 80.