Kiminini market traders and small businessmen have complained about high taxes from the County government of Trans-Nzoia. They complained about the officers in charge of collecting taxes for harassing them.
Speaking to West Media, these traders called on the government and the newly elected governor of Trans-Nzoia County George Natembeya to intervene by standardizing taxes that can be easily managed and to create a conducive business environment for them.
They lamented over harsh economic standards in the country that led to the low income received from their business hence requesting the government to give them grants to boost their businesses and increase sales which will enable them to pay taxes in time.
They further informed us on the challenges they encounter in the business sector and called on the personnel in charge of collecting tax to give them time so as to raise funds to pay tax. Priscah, one of the business ladies at the market said that the government should exempt them from paying taxes on Sundays’ since most they spend better half of day at the places of worship.
They also requested the County government officials responsible for collection of tax to be fair in collecting tax by considering the size of business and the amount of tax that should be demanded by the government. “I want to call on the county council officers in charge of collecting taxes to be fair and consider us with small business, the income that we get from this business of selling fruits, vegetables and sometimes cereals are small as compared to the amount of tax we pay. I therefore request the government to ask for the tax that is direct proportional to the business we do”. She said.
They later reminded the elected political leaders to be implement the promises they made to them during campaign time. They called on them to be statesmen and behave differently from the incumbent leaders and perform their duties according to the promises they gave.
By Andrew Fingili