Mavoko MP Patrick Makau has petitioned the County Assembly of Machakos to squash and repeal the existing legislating authorities which support exorbitant rates that affect economic activities of local business community in the region.
Addressing members of business community in Mlolongo town on Wednesday, Makau said he had noted the rise in doing business in Mavoko due to high rates of business permits and other fee charged by the county government without adequate public participation of all the stakeholders.
“I have noted that the cost of doing business in Mavoko has gone up due to unjustified charges by the county government, I therefore petition office of the County Assembly Speaker to squash and repeal the existing legislating authorities supporting exorbitant rates which affect economic activities of the local business community in the region,” said Makau.
Makau called on the office of the speaker and relevant county executive offices to meet leadership of the sub-county's business community within seven days from March 16t to discuss contentious issues and also effect stay of 2013 - 2014 rates.
He said leadership of the county government ought to have organized public forums for their participation where all stakeholders are involved to determine new rates as stipulated in the constitution, instead of being imposed on them as observed.
The legislature threatened to move to court in a bid of stopping incenses issue in the county if the issues were not addressed by the county government within the 7 days ultimatum.
“If all these will not be fruitful, I will personally move to court as the people's representative to stop payments for licenses in Mavoko Sub-county until the businessmen's grievances and concerns are addressed,” said Makau.
Makau said the businessmen were willing to pay for the licenses, but maintained they had to be legal, accurate and reasonable.
He condemned the government for imposing more charges on businessmen from Mavoko as compared to other sub-counties, arguing the charges need to be the same.
Mlolongo/Syiokimau MCA, Rachael Ndambuki condemned increment of the licenses by the county government, terming the new rates illegal.
She said the county assembly had rejected the 2014 - 2015 proposed taxation bill hence termed it illegal for its implementation.
Rachael told the businessmen to continue paying rates as they used to according to 2013 - 2014 charges until the issues were resolved through well-orchestrated dialogue.
She called on the county government to order its enforcement department to stop harassing the businessmen until the issues were resolved.
Members of Mavoko business community conducted peaceful demonstrations in Mlolongo and Athi River towns on Monday, protesting against increased taxation charges on licenses alongside other charges.
They claimed the Machakos County Government had exorbitantly increased the charges prompting a hawker operating in the county to pay Sh8,450 annually up from Sh2,500, Kiosks Sh7,000 up from Sh2,000.