The Garissa County government has waived land rates to land owners as a way to promote growth and development in the county.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama said the waiver will apply on penalties and interest on all outstanding land rates.
Jama urged land owners to take advantage of the waiver when he was launching the county revenue enhancement programme at Saka Girls Secondary School in Garissa.
He however did not say how long the amnesty would last but said the county is developing rapidly and increased revenue is essential in delivering more and better services.
The governor said the county needs capital for development and money charged for various services including rates play a huge role in shaping developing agenda of the county.
“We have introduced a waiver period and we encourage land owners who owe the county government land rate to pay up with absolutely no interest.”
“As a county government, we expect for the Garissa residents to pay taxes and rates to enable the county to deliver more and better services,” he said.
The governor called on the 600 newly recruited revenue clerks to educate the community on the importance of paying taxes saying this will expand the infrastructure of the county.
Chief Officer of revenue Abdinasir Yussuf who was speaking at the same event, said the county targets to hit Sh500 million in revenue per financial year.
Yussuf said revenue officers will be given motorbikes to make their work easier so they can be able to access all areas, and in turn collect more revenue.
“The county will diversify revenue streams to hit a target of Sh500 million per financial year. The new sources include new levies such as parking fees for tuk tuks, boda boda registration fees, charging slaughter houses and quarries, among others,” he said.