Machakos to impose hefty levies to curtail miraa, muguka chewing

The County Government of Machakos has proposed a Ksh40,000 levy for a lorry load of Miraa per trip in order to reduce the consumption of intoxicants by youths in the county.

The proposal is contained in the County Finance Bill 2024/2025.

Speaking during a meeting with revenue officers drawn from across the county in Mwala yesterday, Finance, Economic Planning and Revenue Management County Executive Committee (CEC) Member Onesmus Kuyu said rampant consumption of Miraa (khat) and Muguka had a far-reaching impact on the county’s health systems and there was a need to curtail the same.

Deterrent levies

He said the county government would impose deterrent levies rather than a total ban as it has happened in Coastal region counties.

“We have proposed in the Finance Bill 2024/2025 to impose levies on Miraa. We will charge Sh30,000 per trip for a pickup and Ksh40,00 per trip per lorryload. This is because of the health impacts on our health systems with consumers of Miraa requiring dental services among other related healthcare services,” said Kuyu.

The Finance CECM said the government was going for a more elaborate system with geo-fencing where building approvals will also be done online in order to net more revenue.

He disclosed that the county government had set a target of Sh2.7 billion in Own Source Revenue from the current Sh1.6 billion.

Kuyu who was in the company of Devolution CECM Dr Joel Nzomo and Director of Revenue William Otieno flagged off the issuing of uniforms and digital Point of Sale (POS) gadgets to Revenue Officers in all Sub-counties.

He said the move will enhance revenue collection and easy identification of the officers while performing their duties.

The joyful officers thanked Governor Wavinya Ndeti for equipping them while pledging to double their efforts towards meeting their revenue collection targets