Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu is at odds with the Kiambu business community over his new proposal to drastically hike levies and charges.
Kiambu County Finance CeC Mburu Kang’ethe in the Kiambu Finance Bill 2018/2019 proposes a hike of parking fees from Sh50 to Sh100 for motorists in Kiambu, Thika, Kikuyu and Ruiru.
Further, the Bill proposes to increase the rate of business licences and new charges for small businesses too have been proposed.
The CeC explains that the hike in taxation seeks to raise revenue collection in the county from the current Sh1.6 billion to Sh2.7 billion.
However, a section of leaders and residents from Thika and other parts of the county have opposed the new Bill by the county government.
Gladys Chania, a Kiambu-based politician hit out at Waititu’s administration saying that he is reneging on his campaign promises.
Waititu in his campaigns last year promised to lower charges levied on the residents seeking various services by the county government.
He also promised to scrap all charges levied on small businesses and improve service delivery.
“He cannot turn around against the same promises. For us who heard him say and it's in record, we shall help him to let it be by opposing any unnecessary increment or imposition of new levies so that it can be a lesson to him and any other leader planning to take Wanjiku for a ride during campaigns with unattainable promises,” said Chania in an exclusive interview on Saturday.
She added that service delivery by the county government of Kiambu is wanting thus, hiking of taxation and imposition of new levies is not welcome.
“Having grown in Thika, I have never seen this town reach such a pathetic situation as it is now; uncovered sewer manholes, poor drainage systems, garbage all over, and someone wants more revenue? Waititu should eat his raw humble pie and carry his cross of campaign lies to help him be a bit technical next time,” she said.
Alfred Wanyoike, the chairman of Thika District Business Association said the proposals in the Kiambu County Finance Bill were against the spirit of business in Kiambu.
Lilian Kinyua, a resident in Thika said the proposal by the county government was oppressive.
“How do you hike charges by between 100 and 300 per cent? This is oppression which we will not take lying down as residents of Thika as business people,” she angrily retorted.
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