County urged to extend business permits deadline
Vihiga County Government has been urged to extend the deadline of acquiring single business permits in a bid to cushion business community from penalties.
Led by Vihiga branch Kenya Chambers of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) representative Geofrey Lugalia, they requested the county government to give them a grace period to settle the payments.
“We have been lobbying and appealing through the department of finance to extend the period so as to give the business people time to pay for their licences,” said Lugalia.

They urged the county government to extend the period to 30th April 2016 because the business people had misinterpreted the Vihiga Finance act 2015.
“The county increased the license fees from shillings 2500 to 5500 in the act which has baffled the business community,” said Lugalia.
He said the government has agreed to charge shillings 3500 instead of shillings 5500 and those that were invoiced increased charges should ignore.
He called on the county to sensitize the business community on the new charges and urged the traders to pay licenses fee promptly to avoid penalties.
“We are also appealing to the business people to check into our offices for more information,” said Lugalia.
The county government had earlier on increased the charges to increase revenue base before it rescinded the move. The county had also warned the traders against defaulting on the rates.
He was speaking at the County headquarters in Mbale town.