Governor reaches out to traders on levies impasse

Kisii Governor James Ongwae now says he is going to sit down with representatives of traders and agree on acceptable taxes and other levies.

This follows the decision of the High Court to issue interim orders barring his government from implementing the levies provided for in the 2014 Finance Act.

The Kisii government's intention to make more money from the levies in the Act were nipped in the bud after the High Court issued the orders a month ago.

This came after representatives of Kisii town traders filed an urgent application complaining the new levies were too high.

Judge Chrispin Nangilah had issued the order pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed against the county government on grounds that the new levies were excessive and had been effected without due consultation.

Later, the County Government filed an application seeking to stay the ex-parte order issued by the court on April 9, 2015.

However, the application was withdrawn to pave way for negotiations of the substantive petition in the court and have an amicable settlement of the matter.

On May 5, Kisii High Court extended the order to June 11 and subsequently the Kisii County Government suspended the Finance Act 2014.

A number of traders who operate on single business permits have been snubbing revenue officers since the order was issued.