Johstone Muthama during a past function. Photo/the-star.co.ke
Outgoing Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama has called on Governor Alfred Mutua to protect small–scale traders.
According to Muthama, the traders need to be protected from tax exploitation.
Muthama said he will never disrupt Mutua’s leadership provided the county administration commits to address the plight of the poor.
“I want newly elected leaders to send this message to Governor Mutua, that all I demand of his government is to ensure mama mboga (vegetable traders) are charged only Sh200 per year while boda boda operators pay Sh500 each year as taxes to the county government,” Muthama said.
“If Mutua agrees to that simple requirement, I will allow him to serve his five year term without any interference whatsoever.
"But should he attempt to load poor traders with unreasonable tax rates, I will move to court to stop it just like I did in his previous term,” Muthama lamented.
Muthama has been one of the biggest critics of Mutua'a administration.