Machakos county governor Alfred Mutua during a past campaign. The county will reintroduce tax months after Mutua exempted small-scale traders from paying taxes. (Photo/Star)
Machakos county government has announced plans to start collecting tax months after governor Alfred Mutua ordered the county tax collecting officers not to charge traders tax.
The county deputy governor Francis Maliti said the county will reintroduce the tax to improve the county's financial status and provision of services.
"The county will start collecting tax from traders to help the county run its operations smoothly. Traders are, therefore, advised to adhere and pay taxes," he said.
He assured that no trader will be harassed by the county officers once the exercise begins," he said.
Governor Mutua exempted small-scale traders from paying taxes in an aim to boost business in the county.
He threatened to sack county tax collecting officers who will be found charging tax from the traders.
The move boosted his re-election in August 8 polls after he beat his rival Wavinya Ndeti of Wiper.
Ndeti has filed a petition challenging Mutua's win.