Kakamega Governor Dr Wycliffe Oparanya has asked the National Treasury to assist the County to get its new oxygen plant held at Mombasa Port over taxes.
He said Kenya Revenue Agency (KRA) is demanding for Sh 8 million as revenue noting that the supplier is unable to pay the amount.
“We procured oxygen plant which has a capacity of producing 1,000 liters of oxygen per minute. Unfortunately, we cannot have the plant now since KRA wants Sh 8 million as tax from the supplier,” said Governor Oparanya.
He added, “The National Treasury should intervene and assist us have the plant to save lives. It is not good to impose heavy taxes on equipment that is critical to save lives during this Covid-19 pandemic.”
The Governor said the County is experiencing a serious shortage of oxygen supply owing to the rising cases of Covid-19 cases in Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) Counties which were declared Covid-19 hotspot zone by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He said the current oxygen plant which is able to supply 300 liters of oxygen per minute is outstripped and can no longer sustain the situation.
“The new plant will be able to supply oxygen to public hospitals in the County and neighboring Counties,” he said.
The Governor directed that all public and private mortuaries should release bodies between 6.00am and 10.00am and all burials to be held same day.
County Commissioner Pauline Dola affirmed that security agencies will enforce the directives put in place by both the National and County Government.
She said no overnight stay for bodies asking the affected families to comply with the directives.
“The directive on funerals is with immediate effect. We will move in to enforce the directive to curb the spread of the virus,” said Madam Dola.