Business people in Bungoma town have threatened to boycott paying taxes if the County government does not act to curb the uncountable challenges they are facing. Ironically, this comes few weeks after the International investment summit was held in the county with the aim of boosting investments and business in the county.
Speaking to West Media, the chairman of Bungoma County town market Victor Wabwire said the County has failed to provide essential services which are crucial to business prosperity.
“We want the County revenue officer to visit us and see the challenges we as business people in Bungoma town are facing. If they won’t give us the services we want in this market, then we will have no reason to pay taxes,” he said.
He added that their pleas have fallen on deaf ears and they want the county investment office to act before things go amiss.
The business people cited water shortage as the main problem they are facing which in turn has led to poor hygienic conditions at the market.
“We only have two taps which serve the entire market. This has caused problems and forced us to buy water outside the market,” said the chairman.
They added that manholes are in a poor condition which has led to resulted to a foul smell in the market, something which has kept away potential customers. Some of the business people have threatened to vacate the premises if the issue of manholes is not dealt with.
“We are tired of this smell. The county should repair the broken manholes or else we vacate to better places,” they lamented.