Tulimani residents in Mbooni, Makueni county, have called on the county government to hike miraa, muguka taxes in a bid to reduce the use of the stimulant.
The residents have raised concern over the presence of miraa business in the area, saying that it is promoting drug abuse and idleness among youth users.
According to the Makueni county revenue collection bill, a basin of miraa is taxed at Sh20,000 per year, Sh40,000 for a miraa kiosk business and Sh60,000 for those distributing the product.
“I wish you understand how that this is affecting people; apart from impotence this plant has other more dangerous effects on the users,” a resident Florence Mutindi said.
They argue that miraa users who don’t have money are forced to steal and sell household products to at least get money to buy it, making families poorer.
“If they find that they don’t have money to buy miraa, they are forced to steal household products to sell so that they get money to buy the thing,” Mutindi added.
The residents now want the government to extremely hike miraa taxes to finish the business in the area.
They were speaking during the Makueni County 2020 Annual Development Plan public participation forum held in the area led by area MCA Kyalo Mumo.
Mumo who met the residents on Monday said that the plan is made to make sure the county government delivers to its people annually.
“Every year we have to meet the people so that we review what we have done them in the whole year and what has been left,” Mumo said.
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