By JAMES MUNYEKI
Ranchers in Laikipia County will be the most hit if the proposed Finance Bill is passed by the county assembly.
The ranchers will now be forced to pay Sh75 per acre per annum in land rates, up from the Sh3 that they are currently paying.
According to Ol Moran Ward Representative Dancun Ndegwa, who has proposed the charges, the move is meant to fetch more revenue for the county.
The biggest beneficiaries of the Finance Bill are the business people who are engaged in the meat industry.
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Slaughterhouses owned by the county government will now be charging Sh350, down from Sh900 per cow. A sheep ready for slaughter will now cost Sh160, down from Sh320.
Ndegwa said the move was meant to woo investors into the livestock industry.
“This is a county that is blessed with a lot of livestock and we have to improve this industry. We will woo many investors by reducing the charges at slaughterhouses,” said Ndegwa.
Other beneficiaries will be boda boda operators and those engaging in small businesses.
The boda boda operators will now pay Sh200 per month to the county government as licence fees.
The Bill will be tabled once the county assembly resumes sittings early next month.
