Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua at a past function.[Photo/the-star.co.ke]Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua has opted to scrap all levies charged to small scale businessmen in his county ahead of the forthcoming general election. The risky move is meant to attract hawkers as well as matatus owners as the governor seeks re-election in the forthcoming general elections.
The governor is not ready to take any chances following the clearance of Former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti to battle it out with his. The county boss argues that the new move is meant to encourage small scale traders and owners of matatus to grow their businesses.
"In order to protect the vulnerable members of our business community and to grow our local economy, after consultations with various sectors, I have today June, 27, 2017, directed the Ministry of Finance and Revenue Management and all revenue collection and enforcement agencies of my Government to stop collection of the following revenues from tomorrow, Wednesday, June 28, 2017," Mutua said in a statement on Tuesday June 27.
Others who stand to benefits from the new move include small-scale vegetable retailers, hawkers, livestock sellers, Tuktuk operators and Boda Boda riders among others. He also did away with penalties on other small businesses in the county with less than two months to the August general elections.
"I have also directed that all penalties for Single Business Permits rates charged to salons, shops, barber shops, shoe shiners, kiosks, Mpesa shops be lifted immediately," added the county boss.