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The Mombasa business community has faulted drafters of the County’s Finance Bill 2022/2023, terming it expensive for investors.

Speaking at a public participation forum held at the Tononoka Social Hall, players from the business sector said if adopted, the Bill will amount to double taxation, a prospect they said would scare away investors.

Under the Mombasa County Finance Bill 2022/2023, the county has proposed a raft of levies the business community said would affect the hospitality industry that largely drives the local economy.

The Bill seeks to increase the annual fee for hoteliers from Sh78,000 to Sh100,000, while levies for operating bars and clubs will be raised to Sh300,000 from Sh100,000 depending on their capacity.

Mombasa governor’s promise

“We are meant to attract investors, not scare them away. This Bill was supposed to be lenient especially to us business operators, considering the fact that we generate a lot of revenue for the county” said Janet Mirobi a hotelier.

Mirobi requested Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to reconsider the proposed new levies, reminding him of his campaign promise to create an enabling environment for investors during the campaign period.

“The governor together with his advisors need to look into this matter quickly. Do not be too quick to forget you promised us a good and healthy environment to do our business, and not what we are being told by your committee today,” she said.

However, Finance and Economic Planning Executive Maryam Mbaruk supported the Bill, claiming some of the charges were raised to minimize social crimes in the county. “I am confident that with time they will see that we have their best interests at heart,” said Mbaruk

The County bar owners association, through their Secretary General Kennedy Mumbo complained of multiple business permits and licenses, which they said can be bundled into a single license,  a decision Mbaruk said was made to prevent underage drinking, especially in residential areas which was also a source of insecurity.