The respondents reported that they were utilizing all communication forms to interact with their
suppliers and customers and employees who have
been required to work from their homes most of
the time. It is significate to note that only one
respondent had introduced a night shift in their
operations. Most of them had reported that they
had reduced the amount of credit accorded to their
customers.
Figure 9. New measures undertaken by businesses.
4 SUGGESTIONS TO COUNTY
GOVERNMENT ON THE COVID-19
The respondents suggested the action of the Uasin
Gishu County Government to mitigate the impact. The
suggestions made included; reduction or eradicating
fees and levies; reduction of restrictions on movement/ travel; public awareness and sensitization on
COVID-19; actions to cushion businesses on loans;
rent payment for premises and other business operations; as well as financing and related support to
businesses. Further suggestions were made for the
national Government to act.
i) County government fees and levies
A summary of the business people’s perceptions
regarding the county government’s actions concerning levies on trading permits, cess on commodities, water bills and payment of rental tax,
and land rates are tabulated in Table 3 below.
Table 3. County government fees and levies by frequency
and percent.
Action required
Frequency
Percent
To waive/ scrap business license
fees
8
3 3
Reduce license fee
7
29
Clear Pending Bills.
5
21
The government to increased
surveillance and security, reduce
anxiety.
1
4
Implement procurement plans to
give business to the private sector
1
4
Reduce land rates
1
4
Reduce charges such as water bills
1
4
Total
24
100
ii) Restrictions on movement/travel
Responses from the business people on movement are presented in Table 4. The respondents
suggested that businesses should operate within
the legal framework to access goods from other
companies across counties. This will enable them
to generate income to enhance their livelihoods
and hence be cushioned against price hikes. Also,
government departments that provide essential
services should be allowed to reopen, such as the
judiciary and lands office.
Table 4. Restrictions on movement/travel by frequency and
percent.
Action required
Frequency
Percent
Allow the business to open
4
50
Allow movement of basics
2
25
cushion against price hiking
1
13
Access to essential serviceslands and judiciary
1
1 3
Total
8
100
iii) Sensitization on COVID-19
Responses on the actions that should be taken to
control the COVID-19 are presented in Table 5.
The results show that the majority (13, 54%)
want sensitization to occur, while (4, 16%) suggest that provision of testing kits, protective gear
such as ventilators, Expansion of ICU bed capacity should be allowed through means such as
importation. On random testing and increased
surveillance and security to reduce anxiety was
considered significant (2-8%) of the respondents.
Responses on team working suggest collaboration
of all agents involved in the already established
disaster management committees and working
with village elders to ensure human movement
is restricted and ensure that affected counties
are locked and to supplement/ support society’s
Table 5. Sensitization on COVID 19 actions by frequency
and percent.
Action Required
Frequency
Percent
Education and awareness of
COVID 19
13
52
Stay at home
1
4
Concentrate on finding a vaccine
too
1
4
Avail food to the vulnerable
1
4
Collaboration and coordination
committees
2
8
Provide protective gears
4
16
Do random testing,
1
4
Increased surveillance, security,
assurance from Government to
reduce anxiety
2
8
Total
25
100
23
suppliers and customers and employees who have
been required to work from their homes most of
the time. It is significate to note that only one
respondent had introduced a night shift in their
operations. Most of them had reported that they
had reduced the amount of credit accorded to their
customers.
Figure 9. New measures undertaken by businesses.
4 SUGGESTIONS TO COUNTY
GOVERNMENT ON THE COVID-19
The respondents suggested the action of the Uasin
Gishu County Government to mitigate the impact. The
suggestions made included; reduction or eradicating
fees and levies; reduction of restrictions on movement/ travel; public awareness and sensitization on
COVID-19; actions to cushion businesses on loans;
rent payment for premises and other business operations; as well as financing and related support to
businesses. Further suggestions were made for the
national Government to act.
i) County government fees and levies
A summary of the business people’s perceptions
regarding the county government’s actions concerning levies on trading permits, cess on commodities, water bills and payment of rental tax,
and land rates are tabulated in Table 3 below.
Table 3. County government fees and levies by frequency
and percent.
Action required
Frequency
Percent
To waive/ scrap business license
fees
8
3 3
Reduce license fee
7
29
Clear Pending Bills.
5
21
The government to increased
surveillance and security, reduce
anxiety.
1
4
Implement procurement plans to
give business to the private sector
1
4
Reduce land rates
1
4
Reduce charges such as water bills
1
4
Total
24
100
ii) Restrictions on movement/travel
Responses from the business people on movement are presented in Table 4. The respondents
suggested that businesses should operate within
the legal framework to access goods from other
companies across counties. This will enable them
to generate income to enhance their livelihoods
and hence be cushioned against price hikes. Also,
government departments that provide essential
services should be allowed to reopen, such as the
judiciary and lands office.
Table 4. Restrictions on movement/travel by frequency and
percent.
Action required
Frequency
Percent
Allow the business to open
4
50
Allow movement of basics
2
25
cushion against price hiking
1
13
Access to essential serviceslands and judiciary
1
1 3
Total
8
100
iii) Sensitization on COVID-19
Responses on the actions that should be taken to
control the COVID-19 are presented in Table 5.
The results show that the majority (13, 54%)
want sensitization to occur, while (4, 16%) suggest that provision of testing kits, protective gear
such as ventilators, Expansion of ICU bed capacity should be allowed through means such as
importation. On random testing and increased
surveillance and security to reduce anxiety was
considered significant (2-8%) of the respondents.
Responses on team working suggest collaboration
of all agents involved in the already established
disaster management committees and working
with village elders to ensure human movement
is restricted and ensure that affected counties
are locked and to supplement/ support society’s
Table 5. Sensitization on COVID 19 actions by frequency
and percent.
Action Required
Frequency
Percent
Education and awareness of
COVID 19
13
52
Stay at home
1
4
Concentrate on finding a vaccine
too
1
4
Avail food to the vulnerable
1
4
Collaboration and coordination
committees
2
8
Provide protective gears
4
16
Do random testing,
1
4
Increased surveillance, security,
assurance from Government to
reduce anxiety
2
8
Total
25
100
23