Narok residents ask for reduction of alcohol price in 2016/17 budget

Narok residents have called for fiscal balance in the 2016-2017 budget to cater to low income earners.

Speaking in Narok, the residents said basic needs such as food and education have become more expensive than expected, resulting in heavier financial burdens to common wananchi.

They further called for the reduction in the taxation and price of alcohol to allow common wananchi to afford the leisure drink and combat the sale of killer brews.

They also called for greater allocation to infrastructure to ensure roads are kept in good condition, which they say will translate to more earnings from tourism and agriculture sectors.

The residents also feel that teachers who contribute a lot to the country’s GDP should have a salary increase to match other civil servants.

They further noted that corruption should be eliminated, with those implicated facing prosecution for their crimes.

On education, those interviewed by Citizen Digital expressed hope that free education would be actualized with proper funding, adding that second hand clothes should also be zero rated to boost the industry and make them affordable.

The residents decried wastage of human resources, saying that some functions are performed by both the national government and county governments, saying this duplication of roles should be eliminated.

They are also hoping for creation of more jobs with this new budget, saying unemployment has resulted in an increase in the crime rate.

Other people called for greater fund allocation to conservation of the environment and water sources saying they should be prioritized.

The residents also blamed politicians for empty promises on important projects during campaigns that continue to hurt the county’s economy.

Finance CS Henry Rotich is expected to present an historic 2.2 Trillion 2016-2017 Kenya budget which comes barely 15 months to the General Election.

Elsewhere, Rice farmers in Mwea, Kirinyaga County have urged the government to increase duty on imported rice in this year’s budget.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose SACCO Chairman Pius Njogu Kathuri, raised concern over cheap rice imports in the country that are negatively impacting the price of rice from local rice growers.

“The government should increase import duty on rice, so that the rice that is being grown by Mwea farmers and other rice farmers gets a market,” said Kathuri.

 By Reuben Motochi