Bill seeks to charge tourists for trips

Tourists planning a trip to a coffee or tea factory in the county will pay Sh2,000 per day if a proposed law is approved by the County Assembly.

The proposal is contained in the Nyeri County Finance Bill, 2019, that was tabled in the Assembly by the Chair of the Finance Committee Anatanasio Wakabaire.

The MCA further sought the approval of the House to exempt the Bill from the required 14-day maturity period after its publication.

While moving the Motion, Wakabaire said it was important to allow the exception because the Bill was sensitive.

Domestic and foreign tourists who would like to use mountain climbing routes will also have to pay a fee, according to the Bill.

"Tourists sites entry fee for non-resident adults is Sh1,000 and resident adults Sh100 for mountain climbing routes," the Bill proposes.

Traders who have been transforming shipping containers into business premises will also be charged Sh300 per month.

Car owners within Nyeri County will pay more to park, as the fee has been increased from Sh50 per day to Sh80 for vehicles within the urban areas.

"Wholesalers of muguka and miraa to pay Sh24,000 per year, while retailers pay Sh10,000," the Bill states.

In the last three years, the county government has increased the amount of revenue collected by 30 per cent, from Sh643 million in the 2016/17 financial year to Sh837 million in 2018/19.

Night and day clubs will be charged Sh150,000 yearly, while members' clubs will pay Sh100,000 if the law is passed.

While supporting the Motion, Dedan Kimathi MCA Gibson Wahinya said with the House expected to go on recess, it was important to ensure the Bill sailed to the next stage.

The public will be expected to give their views on the new proposals in the next two weeks.