Cost of doing business is set to increase in Kisumu County with the Governor Anyang' Nyong'o-led administration set to start implementing the County Finance Act 2018.
The county government has since introduced increased taxes and levies to enable it finance its 2018/2019 budget and support its proposed programs.
The Act will see the trading taxes increase by between 50 and 100 percent, and though they were passed on September 20, residents are already up in arms against the new taxes.
Speaking through the Kisumu County Residents Voice, the residents have since termed the new charges as illegal and unconstitutional, urging the county to put the interests of its residents first.
"We are disappointed by the county government for taxing residents who should have access to free healthcare. Maternity should be free, and other absurd charges dropped. The county should put the lives of its citizens first,” the organization Chair Audi Ogada is quoted by the Standard.
According to the new levies, mining and agricultural firms will be the most affected, with firms seeking to establish agricultural businesses required to pay Sh150, 000 as licencing fees.
The same will apply to mining companies with more than 100 employees, with private firms seeking to establish parking businesses required to pay between Sh30, 000 and 100, 000 annually.
The education sector has also not escaped unhurt, with small institutions slapped with a 50, 000 shilling tax and medium-sized colleges set to pay Sh100, 000 in taxes.