Motorbikes parked next to SDA church hall in Kisumu where the riders held a meeting over the Finance Bill. [Photo|C.Aoya]
Kisumu County Bodabodariders Union has announced massive demonstration in Kisumu town, Thursday October 5, to oppose the planned taxation of the riders as contained in the Kisumu County Financial Bill 2017.
The Bill that was approved by the County Assembly last week, proposed each rider to pay Sh20 daily as levy fee.
The law was amended after the earlier proposal to have the rides pay Sh500 per month.
During a meeting of Bodaboda operators officials in Kisumu, Tuesday, the riders rejected the fee noting that their input was not taken during the budget making process.
The Union secretary Fredrick Obonyo said public participation is mandatory in budget making and wondered why their views were never sought.
“Public participation is a must ad since our views was not taken into consideration we reject in totality this Bill,” he said.
The riders resolved to hit the streets of Kisumu Thursday to protest and demand withdrawal of the levy.
Obonyo said the county government has failed to address challenges affecting the boda boda sector.
He said that it is ridiculous to demand tax from the riders yet they are receiving no services from the county government.
The chairman of the Union Nelson Odire appealed to Governor Anyang Nyong’o not to sign the Bill into law.
Odire said they will mount a massive demonstration in town to compel the county government to act on their demands.