Proposed bill targets plot owners for high rates

BY JAMES MUNYEKI

Nyandarua County: Residents of Nyandarua County who own plots should brace themselves to pay high rates if a new bill is passed.

The proposed Finance Bill stipulates that they will pay Sh1,000 per month in clearance certificate fees.

The money will be paid to the county government on a quarterly basis. The move has caused protests from businessmen who have termed it unrealistic.

According to the bill, every plot owner should get a clearance certificate every three months in order to operate a business.

But the businessmen have questioned why they should pay for land rates and at the same time apply for clearance certificates.

“Why do we need to get this certificate and yet we pay the land rates. This will keep away investors,” said their spokesman Joshua Mureithi.

He regretted that plot owners in small towns could not even afford the fee.

“They rent their premises cheaply and charging them such an amount is oppressing them. This will kill development in this region,” he said.

Committee on Delegation and Legislation Chairman Wahome Kamoche promised that he would look into the concerns of the businessmen.

Also affected will be matatu operators who will have to part with Sh2,000 per month per every vehicle.