Business and transport was paralysed in Kisii Town for the better part of today as business people held peaceful demonstrations to petition Governor James Ongwae’s over increased levy increment.
Leading the protests, Kitutu Chache South politician Samuel Omwando, who is also a businessman in the town, accused the government of increasing the levies with engaging all stakeholders.
“There is no way the government cannot wake up in one day and impose levy increment five times from the current charges. We have petitioned Ongwae and we will meet in court on the issue, therefore I ask business vendors to never process for the license till the case is determined by the court,” he said.
Omwando questioned the parameters the county government used for the increment on license from Sh 3, 000 to Sh 10,000 for small businesses and from Sh 10, 000 to Sh 22, 000 for big businesses.
He asked the business people to never process for the license till the court determines the authenticity of the increment.
Omwando condemned the government for barring bodaboda operators for ejecting them from CBD saying that is selfishness of the highest order.
“I also ask bodaboda operators to never process stickers till the charges have been reduced,” he added.
The protestors with chants ‘Punda imechoka’ (the donkey is tired) and ‘Ongwae must go!’ were locked out of the governor’s office but registered their grievances with the county by addressing the county officials.
They vowed to continue with the protests and said it was just but the beginning till the government maintains the 2013/2014 charges, and if there will be any need to increase the levy and license charges they must consult stakeholders.