Sirisia Small Traders Cry Foul as Alleged Licensing Extortion Sparks Outrage
Small business owners in Sirisia Constituency have raised alarm over what they describe as oppressive and exploitative practices by newly deployed officers in the business license registration unit for the 2026 licensing year.
According to traders operating kiosks, roadside stalls, salons, eateries, and other micro-enterprises, the new managers are allegedly demanding licensing fees that are far higher than what their businesses can realistically sustain. Traders claim the charges are no longer guided by official county schedules but are instead based on arbitrary assessments allegedly pegged on how much money an officer believes a business owner can raise.
Complaints Met With Hostility
Traders say attempts to question the fees or seek clarification are often met with harsh responses rather than explanations or assistance. Instead of being guided through the licensing process, business owners allege they are dismissed and intimidated.
One trader recalled being told bluntly by an officer:
“If you complain, they tell you it wasn’t us who told you to open a business.”
The remark has sparked outrage among small traders, who say it reflects a complete disregard for the struggles faced by micro-entrepreneurs trying to earn a living under increasingly difficult economic conditions.
Fear, Silence, and Intimidation
Business owners argue that such responses discourage them from speaking out, even when they feel clearly exploited. Many say they fear retaliation, including confiscation of licenses, repeated harassment, or being forced to shut down their businesses altogether.
“When you hear that kind of statement, you just keep quiet because you know you will suffer,” said one trader. “But inside, people are hurting.”
Some traders say the atmosphere of fear has become so intense that many choose to comply quietly, even when the demands push them into debt.
“They Calculate Based on Your Pockets”
Several traders interviewed claim officers no longer apply a standard or transparent rate. Instead, they allege that officers visually assess a business and then determine how much the owner should pay based on perceived earning capacity.
“They calculate for you based on the money they think you can pay, not the kind of business you are doing,” said a trader at a local market.
This practice, traders say, has created uncertainty and confusion, making it impossible for business owners to plan, budget, or grow their enterprises.
Ksh1,000 ‘Fuel Fee’ Sparks Anger
The situation has been further worsened by an alleged mandatory Ksh1,000 fuel fee, which traders claim is demanded on top of official licensing charges. For many small traders surviving on thin daily profits, the amount is simply unaffordable.
“Even Ksh1,000 is very difficult for a small business owner to get,” lamented one trader. “Some days we don’t even make that much.”
Traders argue the fuel demand has no legal basis and amounts to outright extortion, especially at a time when businesses are already struggling with rising commodity prices, low consumer spending power, and multiple levies.
License Confiscation and Forced Office Visits
Those who fail or refuse to comply with the demands say they face punitive measures. Traders allege that officers confiscate their previous year’s licenses, attach an M-Pesa payment code, and order them to physically travel to the licensing office in Sirisia to “sort out” their registration.
This process, they say, disrupts business operations, costs transport money, and often leads to additional demands once they reach the office.
“If you don’t do as they say, they take your license from last year and tell you to go to the office,” said another trader. “By the time you finish, you have lost business for the day and still paid more.”
Pushed to the Brink
Small traders warn that the alleged harassment is pushing many micro-businesses to the edge of collapse. Some say they are considering shutting down permanently, while others hide or close early when licensing officers are spotted in the area.
Parents and breadwinners fear that continued pressure could wipe out livelihoods that support families, pay school fees, and sustain the local economy.
Calls for Government Intervention
Affected traders are now appealing to:
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The Sirisia sub-county administration
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Bungoma County licensing authorities
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Anti-corruption agencies and oversight bodies
They are demanding:
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Clear and publicly displayed license fee schedules
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An end to unofficial charges and fuel demands
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Accountability for officers accused of harassment
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A transparent, fair, and digital-friendly licensing process
A Wider Governance Question
The complaints raise broader concerns about governance, accountability, and the ease of doing business at the grassroots. While county governments rely on business permits for revenue, traders argue that squeezing small enterprises undermines economic growth and deepens poverty.
As pressure mounts, small business owners say they will continue to speak out until fair, lawful, and affordable licensing practices are restored in Sirisia—insisting they are not asking for favors, only transparency, respect, and the right to earn an honest living.