BY STEPHEN KILONZI
The Embu County traders have broken ranks with their former business association and launched a new outfit—the Embu Business Owners Association (EBOA)—in what they describe as a bold move to reclaim their voice, security, and economic interests.
Speaking during a press conference in Embu town on Wednesday, the traders accused their former lobby group of abandoning them during the June 25 and Saba Saba protests, when businesses were looted, vandalized, and shut down.
“We suffered massive losses, yet the very body meant to protect us remained mute. Shops were shut for days. We lived in fear, but no one spoke for us,” said an aggrieved trader.
The business community cited lack of inclusivity, weak leadership, and neglect during crises as key reasons behind the mass exodus.
They claimed the previous association consistently sidelined grassroots traders, deepening the disconnect between the leadership and the majority of business owners.
Rising from what they described as betrayal, the traders unveiled EBOA, a new association aiming to unite all sectors of business under a single, representative umbrella.
“We are building a home for all businesspeople—big or small, kiosk or wholesale, Mama Mboga or farmer. Everyone counts. This is the voice Embu traders have been waiting for,” said interim chairperson Charles Shanyaki.
EBOA has already brought together representatives from 22 different sectors, including boda boda riders, market vendors, shopkeepers, and distributors. Each sector will elect five representatives to ensure inclusivity and fair representation.
The association’s first official elections are scheduled for August 17 at Embu Talent Academy, with organizers promising a transparent and structured voting process.
EBOA’s formation now sets the stage for a major realignment of business representation in Embu County, challenging established entities such as the Embu Business Community and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) – Embu Chapter.
Many traders now see EBOA as a fresh start—an association they believe will prioritize grassroots voices and offer the leadership they have long been denied.
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