Bishop Edward Mwai has thanked president Uhuru Kenyatta for responding to his humble appeal at the weekend to release confiscated goods held at the Inland Container Depot in Embakasi.
Mwai is the general overseer of Jesus Winner Ministry churches in Kenya whose headquarters are based in Roysambu, Nairobi.
“I am very happy that our president has heard the cry of the poor traders who struggle to make ends meet.” he said at his Roysambu’s office.
Mwai had on Sunday during a sermon passionately appealed to Uhuru to intervene and order the release of various commodities seized by the Anti-Counterfeit Authority in early April.
“Mr President, you are my goodfriend, I love you, we have come from far, kindly hear the cry of your people who pray for you. They woke up at dawn and made you their president. I kindly plead with you on their behalf to help them secure their goods.” Mwai told a cheering congregation.
On Monday Uhuru ordered clearance of the seized goods in three weeks time, promising to return for inspection after expiry of the period.
He gave the directions when he held an impromptu visit at Inland Container Depot in Embakasi following a public outcry where he inspected the suspected goods.
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority confiscated goods worth Ksh 100 million.
The imports include second hand clothes and electronics among others believed to have been imported from the Far East nations.
Uhuru was accompanied by interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i,PS Karanja Kibicho and director of criminal investigations George Kinoti.
Others accompanying them were a multi agency taskforce charged with inspection of goods.
Uhuru also directed that Kenya Revenue Authority immediately vets and gazettes names of all consolidators at the Embakasi depot saying it will ensure transparency.
“All consolidators must be vetted and their names gazetted to ensure honesty.” the president said.
This he said will also flash out unscrupulous consolidators who label goods destined for Kenya as those destined for Uganda and South Sudan to evade taxes.
Anti-Counterfeit Authority chairperson Flora Mutahi told journalists that substandard imports enter the country through Mombasa’s Kilindini port.
“About 70 per cent of counterfeits enter Kenya through Kilindini port and Inland Container Depot at Embakasi.” Mutahi said.
The cleric further called on Uhuru to lift the ban requiring that no importation of second hand motor vehicle spare parts will be allowed into the country adding that since vehicles imported must not be more than seven years old, then the same should apply to importation of spare parts.
“Traders should at least be given three years to clear their imported stock. Most traders are servicing loans and the ban has sent many traders to intensive care units and others may be sent into early graves if the issue is not resolved now.” He said.
Lilian Wambugi,a second hand clothes dealer thanked the president for the kind gesture.
“I am greatful . I have no other source of income apart from selling second hand clothes ,” Wambugi said.
The Bishop, a close ally of both president Uhuru and his Deputy William Ruto also urged Uhuru to unite Kenyans so that when he exits the presidency he will leave a united nation as his legacy.
He said Uhuru is the father of both the Jubilee supporters as well as the supporters of his deputy.
Those allied to Uhuru’s faction have been branded Kieleweke while those supporting Ruto have been branded Tangatanga.