Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has expressed his concern over the manner in which the government has been handling cases of alleged tax evasion.
The second term county boss said that it is unfortunate that the government and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) have decided to take a hardliner stance instead of protecting the traders.
The governor appealed to the government and KRA to embrace different alternatives for solving the issue of tax evasion instead of arresting suspects.
He noted that the recent twists of events are likely to discourage businesspersons from the country who want to succeed in the competitive sector.
Mandago termed the move counterproductive, adding that the government needs to put in place measures to protect the interest of businesspersons in different sectors of the economy.
“The government and KRA should initiate amicable ways on how local companies with outstanding taxes running into billions of shillings should meet their tax obligation instead of shutting businesses,” he said, as quoted by Standard.
He also said that it is absurd for the government to opt to close down companies in different parts of the nation simply because they are yet to comply with tax requirements.
The remarks come after the government ordered for the revocation of the licenses of several betting firms, which are yet to comply with the taxman needs.