Days after Kuria issued the directive, the traders noted that business had slowed down as more schools ordered parents to buy supplies from specific outlets – some of which were run by teachers and staff members in the respective schools.
Speaking to the media on Friday, February 3, the traders urged the government to be prompt in enforcing Kuria’s directive, especially as students join Form One.
The frustrated business people sided with Kuria who had explained that that directive was aimed at increasing revenue generated from the industry.
“With over 14 million pupils, the uniform industry had the potential to generate revenue and should not be dominated by a few traders.
“Our schools have no business selling uniforms. Parents have the freedom to buy school supplies from anywhere. The teachers need to focus on academia,” Kuria stated.
According to the traders, schools assumed the duty of selling various supplies to learners at a rate higher than the current market.
“Take socks for example, we sell a pair at Ksh80 but in schools, they are sold for Ksh300. With this, the parent is financially burdened and our businesses go down,” one trader lamented.
They further urged the schools to stick to their mandated role of equipping the learners with knowledge and leaving trading to them.
“Some of these schools sell the supplies for almost double the price and the parent is one who feels the burden,” another added.
“If they want to sell the items, they should leave the schools for us to teach,” another trader suggested.
Conclusively, they vowed to protest if the government does not resolve the crisis before enrolling the next cohort of students.
