Khalwale tells off Oparanya over new tax rates for traders

Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale (right) shares a word with Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe (left) during the funeral of Jacob Manyala father of former Lurambi MP Manyala Keya at Eluwesero village.

 

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has criticised plans by the local county assembly to introduce new rates for traders.

Dr Khalwale accused Governor Wycliffe Oparanya of frustrating residents and promised to mobilise all traders against paying the new rates, which he termed a heavy burden to the common mwananchi.

Speaking over the weekend at Eluwesero village, Khalwale cautioned Mr Oparanya over the new taxes saying he should first use the over Sh7.9 billion allocated to the county by the national government.

But in a quick rejoinder, Mr Oparanya dismissed Khalwale saying as a governor, he does not determine the rate and laws passed at the county assembly.

He said the county assembly is answerable for all bills and laws passed and adopted by the executive.

"I do not make laws. Let people not confuse the county assembly and the county executive. The executive does not make laws, but we implement the laws made by the assembly. I do not determine the rates. This is done by the assembly," said Oparanya.

Khalalwe who was attending former Lurambi MP Manyala Keya's father Jacob Manyala's burial, said traders operating kiosks were being asked to pay Sh5,000 up from the current Sh3,000.

Those who own and run petrol stations will be forced to pay Sh21,000 up from the current Sh9,000 if the new taxes will be adopted.

Frustrating Kenyans

"Tell the governor that I am opposed to the new taxes and I have asked traders not to pay," Khalwale said, adding: "Devolution was not meant to create opportunities to frustrate Kenyans through high taxation but to offer them a chance to improve their lives through development."

Khalwale promised to mobilise MCAs to stage demonstrations against the new taxes before they are effected.

"The county government should first use the money we have brought here before starting to tax residents here. Oparanya has a lot of money from the national Treasury, let him use it first and if it is not enough, he can think of taxing locals," said the senator amid cheers from the crowd.

But Leader of Majority in the county assembly Robert Makhanu termed the figures quoted by Khalwale as misleading.

"There are no plans for new taxes until June when the current laws would be reviewed. Khalwale is using an outdated version of the proposed draft on the tax rates which was rejected by the assembly last year," Mr Makhanu said.

Chicken tax

"Khalwale is misleading people with a draft that was rejected some times back. The copy he has is the one he used last year to marshal traders to oppose the rates saying we had imposed tax on chicken and livestock," said Makhanu.

Makhanu, also the Kongoni ward rep, said the assembly passed new rates which are in operation from last year with 10-20 per cent increment on all traders.

"The current rates were passed last year by the assembly, the new rates reflect only 10-20 per cent increment and not what is alleged by Khalwale. By the end of this financial year, we will review the rates," he said.

Last year Khalwale organised a demonstration to oppose new rates.