Uasin Gishu County government has announced a 60 days’ extension of tax waivers to cushion businesses and land owners from the economic slowdown occasioned by the coronavirus outbreak.
The move announced by Governor Jackson Mandago comes after the earlier waiver grace period elapsed last week.
“We are extending a number of business tax waivers due to the impact of the novel coronavirus, but some people are hiding under this grace period not making any move in land rates payment,” he said while flanked by the Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno.
The Governor who made the announcement at the county headquarters urged local property owners to take advantage of the waiver period and pay their rates since the County government would not extend it any further after June 30 midnight.
He added that the County government would repossess land or take legal action against those who fail to clear land rates during the waiver period.
“On failure to clear the payments, one will pay land rates plus the penalty accrued in interests, the county will clamp the building and cut off other services like water and further denial of business permit. I also urge the government institutions to check the status of their land rates and clear before the waiver period,” he indicated.
He indicated this waiver will not apply to anyone who has taken the county government to court or have been taken to court by the county.
Mandago urged locals not to be duped by staff in assisting them in paying for the land rates but to make payment via National Bank or Mpesa only and any of the staff found trading along that route will be dealt with accordingly.
“To our loyal clients who have been paying their land rates since the time of local government religiously, we will reward them with a 5% discount in the next financial year,” he noted.
He encouraged the residents to make payment to the nearest offices around them which they have availed in all the 30 wards and six sub county offices to avoid queuing at this time of the corona pandemic.
“On first July we will publish a list of shame of the defaulters and they will bear great responsibility in denying the citizens services as required,” he affirmed.
He demanded that the CECs and Chief Officers should be accountable to citizens on any demand to know how their taxes have been utilised.
“Citizens should get answers from your offices as required. It should not just be an answer but should be answered to the level of satisfaction,” he reiterated.
He urged the residents in case of any inquiry, only call this number 0720646464 and will be served by a dedicated team assigned for that duty.
By Hassan Adan Ali
