Kiambu Governor William Kabogo bows to pressure, lowers rates as revenue collection doubles

The local government has bowed to pressure and lowered some rates that have seen it clash with traders.

Governor William Kabogo said the levies taxed on solid waste management and small businesses outside urban centres will be reduced by half.

The move, he said, was as a result of increased revenue collection by the county government after the automation of the revenue collection services.

Speaking at his Thika office, Mr Kabogo said there was no need to burden the traders and business people with higher rates yet the county government had registered tremendous revenue collection increment.

"The automation of the revenue collection system has helped seal loopholes where the county government was losing millions. As result, we would like to pass that to the residents by lowering the charges that the county had previously increased," said Kabogo.

Among the traders earmarked to benefit from the new charges include hawkers, kiosk owners, butcheries, shoe shiners, small hotels and groceries.

Massive protests have been witnessed in the entire county with traders demonstrating against what they termed as punitive charges.

The new move will see residents pay Sh1,200 down from Sh2,400 annually for the solid waste management.

Hotels and restaurants operating outside urban centres will from now henceforth be required to pay Sh100 from the current charge of Sh200 per month.

Small traders operating outside towns in remote areas like Lari, Githunguri, Gatundu and other similar localities will not be expected to pay anything.

Finance Executive Mary Nguli said the county government is in the process of gazetting the new charges.

Ms Nguli said the move would in no way negatively affect the financial standing of the county since the revenue collection had already more than doubled.

"We want to create a conducive business environment for our investors and business people, which explains why the county government is key in having subsidies that will help retain and attract move investors," she said.

She said as the government continues to register increased revenue collection, more traders will benefit from reduced charges.

Traders at Madaraka and Jamhuri markets in Thika welcomed the move saying it was long overdue.

"This is what we have been fighting for. It is good that the county government has finally heeded to our grievances," said Milka Wambui a trader at Jamhuri market.

A month ago, traders at Madaraka market engaged the police and county officials over rates.