Residents of Bungoma County have supported the proposal on zero taxation on farm inputs such as fertilizer.
The residents participated in The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning public participation on six (6) business related Bills that are currently before the National Assembly for consideration.
The residents further asked the committee to look into zero-rating seeds, to enable farmers to maximize on their farm outputs.
The high taxes proposed to be imposed on imported sugar was also supported, as this would boost the local sugar industry, which is a mainly of the region.
They supported the tax related law proposal but questioned strategies the government has put in place to cushion them from the effects of high taxation.
In Isiolo County, residents expressed their support for the government’s efforts to scale up revenue collection but underscored the need to deal decisively with corruption and developing their area.
“We have no problem with the government enhancing its revenue collection because we cannot run government services without collecting taxes. All we are asking is, where does the collected revenue go, yet we do not have good roads here nor are we getting good services from our hospitals”, stated Mzee Rahman Abdalla.
Responding to their Concerns, the lawmakers led by the Chairman Kimani Kuria, pointed out that while it is important to put the national government to task over the implementation of its programs, there is need to task their Members of the County Assembly to scale up their oversight role.
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“After the 2010 Constitution, Kenya got herself 48 governments. The two levels of government have their distinct roles. As we navigate how to realize the implementation of national government programs, you also must put to task your local leaders to prioritize your priority programs”, he stated.
The residents also supported the proposed amendment to the Scrap Metal Act which seeks to restructure the Scrap Metal Council for better governance and inclusivity.
They called on the Committee to tighten the regulatory regime for scrap metal trading noting that the unscrupulous trading had led to an influx of vandalism cases in the county with government infrastructure such as bridges and road furniture being targeted.
They told the Committee that the unscrupulous trading of scrap metal had also contributed to the high level of school drop outs, with many underage children engaging in the trade.
By Obegi Malack
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