Trading activities across the border of Kenya and Tanzania have increased after the opening of the new Taveta market leading to an increase of revenue collection. The new Taveta modern market which is located 3 kilometers from the Kenya-Tanzania border has created room for both countries to enjoy the freedom of ferrying their goods through and across the main entrance of the market. Traders and hawkers for many years have avoided paying revenue as they traded due to lack of proper planning where traders were not controlled thus becoming difficult for the government to collect revenue from them. In addition, the County Executive of Trade Gertrude Shuwe said as the government they have a plan to upgrade and rehabilitate all county markets so that business people can have a conducive environment for expanding their business and hence government gets good revenue. She added to say that Taveta market being at the East Africa door and the proper planning it stands a chance to expand and contribute more revenue to the County government. The new market has also promoted the transport sector as there is a lot of ferrying goods in and out of the two countries Kenya and Tanzania. Most of those who have enjoyed are boda-boda sector and tuk-tuk operators. However, some Traders have requested the county to quickly finish up putting all structures in place at the market like lights and more toilets. The County government has recorded a tremendous revenue increment of 20% from sh172M to over Ksh 202.9M. Between April and June 2018 over ksh70M was collected.
Source: KBC