Relief as council extends payment date

By MICHAEL WESONGA

Land rate defaulters in Eldoret heaved a collected sigh of relief after the town’s municipal council extended its deadline by a fortnight.

The Eldoret Municipal Council, having collected Sh60 million so far, extended its deadline from August 30 to September 14.

The move is meant to accommodate more defaulters who risk losing their land to the council if they fail to comply.

Town Clerk Stanislus Ondimu divulged the defaulters still owed the council over Sh500 million. He said the money would have been useful in the smooth running of the council’s day-to-day operations.

“The money in question can effectively bankroll the council’s staff remunerations for an entire financial year without sweat,” Ondimu said.

He commended small hold urban dwellers for being most compliant compared to large parcel owners as well as ‘ignorant and misinformed’ rural dwellers.

The clerk added most of huge parcel defaulters included Government corporations that he declined to name.

“Kenya Power and the Rift Valley Railways Corporation, which were among the huge debtors had shown all indications of compliance after we took them to court,” he said.

Ondimu raised concern over laxity by Kenyans to meet their stipulated obligations at the rightful time, especially when it concerned payment of taxes.

“I don’t know why state agencies must always engage in cat and mouse chases to comply,” he complained.

Waiver window

Ondimu said locals wanted better services but were unwilling to pay their taxes to facilitate proper council planning that would lead to effective service delivery.

He urged defaulters to take advantage of the waiver window and comply with the process.

“After this window, the council will apply all proscribed means to regain their debts that may involve property auction through a court order,” he warned.

He also asked ratepayers who wanted information regarding the manner in which the rates were calculated to visit his office for clarification.