Governor Anyang Nyongo's new tax areas oppossed

Kisumu County Governor Peter Anyang Nyongo

KISUMU, KENYA; Uproar has greeted plans by Kisumu to widen its revenue base to conventionally non-targeted streams.

A section of residents on Friday rejected a number of newly proposed revenue sources in the Kisumu County Finance Bill of 2018 undergoing public scrutiny.

City residents said some of the revenue streams targeted by the bill the day to day subsidies they depend on for survival as the cost of living standards continues to rise.

The proposed levies target have broadened into previously spared sectors such as public transport and small traders as well as waste disposal.

Once the Bill is approved by the county assembly, fishermen will have to pay a daily tax of Sh200 as fish traders pay Sh300. Boats carrying fish exceeding 10 tones will pay Sh5000 while those ferrying less than 10 tones pay Sh1000.

Also, Omena (dagaa) and fish will be taxed Sh100 and Sh70 per basket.

Fishermen refuted the new taxes calling for the MCAs present during a forum at Aga Khan Hall to return the bill to the assembly and lower the costs because they rely on fishing for their survival.

“As a fisherman, I want to ask Governor Nyong’o to lower these absurd rates because there will be no development if the residents are left to suffer,” Omollo, a fisherman said.

 In the new taxes, town service matatu vehicles will pay Sh3, 600 per month and those plying outside town Sh3, 750 as buses pay Sh8, 000 for the monthly seasonal stickers.

Booking offices at the Kisumu Bus Park will have to part with Sh20, 000 and Sh10, 000 for the large and small spaces respectively.

Tuk-Tuk, Motor Cycle and Bicycle operators will pay up to Sh1200, Sh500 and Sh200 respectively per month. The operators interviewed opposed the new taxes, saying they were too high.