The County Government of Machakos on Thursday reinstated 2013/2014 single business permit and land rate charges for businessmen in Mavoko Sub-county, following a public outcry.
Addressing the press in his office, the Sub-county's administrator, Moses Muthusi said the reinstatement of the charges was intended to end stalemate in licensing at Mavoko that has been experienced for last one month.
“We have decided to reinstate the former charges to end the row between the county government and business community in Mavoko Sub-county,” said Muthusi.
Muthusi said there was positive response by the businessmen from the region in terms of remittance of the taxes, since the county government announced the reinstatement.
He said the government had collected a lot of taxes already remitted by the business community since the charges were announced.
This follows protests against new rates, which were meant to inflate the charges by almost 50 percent as indicated on the county's 2014/2015 revenue collection act, a situation which made majority of the businessmen to evade paying for new business permits.
The businessmen demonstrated thrice in both Mlolongo and Athi River towns within the county, condemning the increment, terming them illegal and arguing that they were never involved while making the increments.
The situation saw the area MP Patrick Makau petition speaker of Machakos County Assembly to intervene and ensure the rates were reinstated within seven days, after which he threatened to sue the leadership of the county government.
Makau termed the increment illegal and against the spirit of the constitution, arguing that there was no public participation and stakeholders' consultations before reviewing the charges.