The county government of Nyamira has yet again come under intense criticism from small-scale business people over alleged high taxes imposed upon them.
Most of the affected business people on Monday accused the county of raising the taxes from the initial Sh3,500 per year to the current Sh7,500 over the same period.
They argued that the figure was unaffordable hence unacceptable since their businesses were too small and was not entirely recognised under sessional paper no. 2 of 2005 on small and medium scale enterprises.
“The figure might appear small but to members of small-scale businesses, it is very high and difficult for us to afford. We generate little profits and remember we have families who solely depend on us,” said Andrew Momanyi.
“I thought the county understands that the small-scale businesses are exempted of high taxes on various parliamentary Acts! This figure is illegal and unacceptable,” he said.
They threatened to hold peaceful demonstrations across the county if the John Nyagarama-led government did not consider reducing the figure to its original amount.
“We have a network across the county as well as numbers. We will hold peaceful demonstrations and paralyse businesses across the county if the county regime does not respect our wishes,” said Victor Omae.
They gave the county leadership an ultimatum of one month to revoke the charges imposed on them before they adopt the aforementioned remedies.