The young people investing in businesses in Machakos County have lamented over high taxes and high license fees which they are expected pay when starting a job.
Speaking during a meeting in a hotel in Kangundo town, the young businessmen and women have called upon the county government to intervene and lower the fees to allow them develop their young businesses.
Representing the youths complains, Christopher Kyalo the traders’ association chairman and Kangundo youth chairman Moses Mutaa both stated that the high license fees were locking out potential investors hence impacting negatively on economical developments of the County.
“It is a big burden to the young people starting small businesses as the license fee demanded is very high. As though this is not enough, the towns county councils collect very high taxes frequently making it hard to make any reasonable profits to expand or sustain the businesses. This situation has caused close-down of several businesses,” said Kyalo
Mutaa called upon Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua to intervene and lower the license fee expected to be paid before one starts a business and after the business kicks of the tax rates to be reduced to a reasonable amount.
“I call upon the governor to intervene and introduce a system of tax payment that cannot be escalated by the County workers. The young investors have been discouraged over and over again. In Kangundo town there are so many new shops and hardwares that have been locked few months after they were opened. This is pulling our County economy behind," said Mutaa.