Kericho residents decry high taxation, poor services

Residents of Kericho County on Monday staged a demonstration in Kericho town over increased tax rates.

The residents are faulting a recent move by Members of the Kericho County Assembly (MCA’s) to increase the amount of taxes businesses pay in the town, arguing that the services they get in return are poor.

Among the issues, they are lamenting is poor sanitation in Kericho town, the poor sewerage systems, and the lack of enough parking for residents and business people.

“We are not disputing the increase in tax but we should get the value of our money in terms of the services we get from the county,” one of the female demonstrators argued.

According to them, the county officials have been constantly harassing them.

“County officers have been arresting small business traders and slapping them with huge fines, therefore, [leading to] losses,” Sydney, another demonstrator, and businessman in the town said.

They are now threatening to unseat all incumbent MCAs in the coming August Polls, as they have failed to deliver to the electorate.

Edited by Majanga Michael