[Migori governorship aspirant Ochillo Ayacko in apast event. He has promised tax cuts if elected. Photo/Nation]
Migori County governorship aspirant Ochillo Ayacko promised to slash market taxes levied on market traders by 50 percent if elected to office.
Addressing county residents during a homecoming rally at Rongo Town, Mr Ayacko said the traders deserved incentives to stimulate their businesses which were facing challenges due to a harsh tax environment.
"Our small traders are constrained by a harsh tax regine from the national and county government, and in order to stimulate more investment in their businesses, I will slash the cess levied on their operations by 50 percent," said Mr Ayacko to thunderous applause from traders at Awendo Town.
He hit out at his rival, incumbent governor Okoth Obado, terming him selfish, incompetent and clueless on the needs of the region.
"As Migori residents, we have suffered for five years under an incompetent, selfish leader who is totally clueless on the development needs of this region," said Mr Obado.
Mr Ayacko said the brand of devolution practiced and implemented by Mr Obado was an insult to that which opposition chief Raila Odinga had fought to give Kenyans.
"What we have in Migori is (Obado's) own brand of devolution, not that which Raila Odinga fought for. He is an embarrassment to the spirit of devolution captured in our constitution," said Mr Ayacko.
He claimed he was rigged out of the recent party primaries, saying the people's decision was not respected.
"Our people voted for their leader, but some crooked officials decided to award somebody else the ticket. Come August 8, we will not allow the same mistakes to be repeated," said Mr Ayacko.
He accused Governor Obado of incompetence, saying the county residents who are taxpayers had not received value for their money.
"Our residents are yet to receive value for their hard-earned money which they contribute towards the Exchequer as taxes. Obado needs to account for the use of these taxes, said Mr Ayacko.
He promised to scrap taxes for boda boda operators, saying they were experiencing the ravages if the economic downturn caused by high food and fuel prices.
Rongo Town independent aspirant Phillip Abongo said Migori County residents would not adopt the six-piece voting pattern, saying the ODM primaries in the region had been hijacked by unnamed political interests.
"Had the nominations been free, fair and credible, we would have automatically backed all the victorious party candidates. Unfortunately, this was not the case and we will now be electing our leaders strictly based on merit except Raila, who is our universally accepted presidential candidate,'" said Mr Abongo.
He asked residents to turn out in large numbers to vote for Mr Odinga, Mr Ayacko, saying the residents had a chance to change their fortunes for the better at the ballot.
"A vote for Odinga is a vote for a better Kenya. A vote for Ayacko is a vote for a better Migori," said Mr Abongo.
The long procession brought business along the busy Rongo-Migori route to a standstill as thousands of residents turned out to cheer the aspirant who is running for the governorship as an independent.