The removal of import duty on timber has not augured well with Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui.
According to the county boss, the move will affect timber production in Njoro, Elburgon and Molo. He noted that over the years, the timber industry has suffered endless challenges and the removal of the duty has added more woes on timber traders.
He noted that the announcement by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich to scrap the existing 10% of the duty on the imported raw timber is not a good move.
The county boss said that the ban on the logging had dealt the industry a major blow and the new development has worsened the situation in the country.
"With today’s development, our saw millers will not maximize benefits from the Affordable Housing Agenda pie as timber required will mainly come from other countries,” the governor remarked on Thursday.
He called upon the government to establish measures to promote reforestation to increase the forest cover. He further called upon President Uhuru Kenyatta to find alternative ways of addressing the issue of climate change before it is too late.
CS Rotich made the announcement during the release of the 2019/2020 budget in Parliament. Kenyans have continued to question how the government will finance the Sh.3 trillion budget.
Other issues of great concern have been increased tax on betting, alcohol and insurance on bodaboda operators