The county government of Uasin Gishu has set aside 1,700 acres for the construction of a new animal park in Eldoret.
Speaking on Thursday during the launch of a campaign aimed at encouraging residents to pay taxes, Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno said that the land in Chebororwa is currently being fenced.
"The County Government of Uasin Gishu has already started serious plans to ensure that we have one of the best animal parks in this region. We are doing this with the help of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) whom we have requested to assist us in stocking the park with all the animals that can survive here,” Chemno said.
He added, “We have already written the KWS asking them to return the 15 giraffes which were transferred to Meru National Park from Maili Tisa 10 years ago."
Chemno urged all the residents to ensure they pay their taxes on time to avoid being charged penalties.
He was accompanied by the county finance CeC Shadrack Sambai who said that the residents of Eldoret Town had only one month to ensure that they pay all their accumulated land rates which have amounted to Sh 1.2 billion.
"This time round we will take harsh action against all the people who will not have paid their land rates arrears. I urge you to pay the land rates on time so that you can avoid crossing with the county by laws," Sambai said.
Sambai added that his department had carried out investigations and they have come up with a conclusion that some people are deliberately avoiding paying their taxes.
"It is through the money that we collect that we are able to offer you the services you require and if you continue failing to pay us, then the county will not be able to get the much needed high quality services from the county government," Sambai said.