A section of Uasin Gishu farmers has hit out at the County government for increasing land rates without consulting them.
Led by Kipkorir Menjo, the farmers said the increased rates will affect them negatively since it will force them to dig dipper into their pockets.
“As farmers, we are not happy with the county government’s move of raising land rates, the amount is abnormal and we cannot manage it since the economy is bad,” said Menjo, the director of Uasin Gishu branch Kenya Farmers Association (KFA).
He was speaking to the press in Eldoret town, Thursday.
“A place where one stays and used to pay Sh200 in a quarter an acre they now pay Sh4000 annually. Someone who used to pay Sh600 annually now pays Sh5,000. This is uncalled for and we cannot manage it,” insisted Menjo.
He further said even if the National government directed county governments to source for their funds to run their business, they should not put the burden to farmers who are also landowners by increasing land rates but use other means to get funds.
The farmers now want the County government of Uasin Gishu to suspend the new land rates and consult with them on what they are supposed to pay before increasing the rates.
They also wondered what they will pay if Eldoret town will be given City status if now they are overcharged.
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