Senate to enact tax law, says Khalwale

PHOTO | FILE Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale at a past rally. Khalwale has said the Senate plans to introduce a law to check excessive taxation by county governments.  NATION

In Summary

• Khalwale criticised proposed new charges and levies contained in the Kakamega County Finance Bill 2013, which was presented to the County Assembly for debate on Wednesday.
• Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his team, he said, should have set up 12 cemeteries in the region before coming up with the burial fees.

By Nation Correspondent
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The Senate plans to introduce a law to check excessive taxation by county governments, Senator Boni Khalwale has said.

Dr Khalwale said some county governments had come up with Bills proposing new charges and levies that were unacceptable.

Speaking on Saturday, he criticised proposed new charges and levies contained in the Kakamega County Finance Bill 2013, which was presented to the County Assembly for debate on Wednesday.

Proposals for new charges and levies including Sh10,000 for burying the dead had sent the wrong message about the county government’s intention, he said.

Dr Khalwale said county governments should tread carefully while proposing charges to avoid courting the wrath of voters.

He urged members of county assemblies to scrutinise the Bills and propose amendments to protect people from being ambushed with excessive taxes.

“It has become clear that some county governments are rushing to introduce the charges and levies without carefully looking at the negative impact they will have on the economic dynamics of the respective regions,” Dr Khalwale said.

Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his team, he said, should have set up 12 cemeteries in the region before coming up with the burial fees.