Murang’a residents say additional tax is added burden

As the debate on the Finance Bill rages on, residents from Murang’a have urged the government to go slow on taxation saying they are already stretched to the limit.

The residents who had turned up for the public participation session organized by the budget and appropriation committee in Mathioya, said the government should lessen the tax burden on the common person.

Mary Thuku, a resident, said as much as the government wants to collect more revenue, it should not exploit the common person who can barely meet their basic needs.

“We are urging the government to consider using other means to collect revenue rather than over-taxing us” she said.

She said life is becoming unbearable and the intent by the government to increase the cost of basic commodities is punitive.

Cash transfer

Thuku who is one of the beneficiaries of the cash transfer programme said the Sh2,000 is barely enough to cater for her needs.

“It’s even worse for us the elderly people who cannot go out to do menial jobs and we largely rely on the stipend from the government which is barely enough” she remarked.

Gerald Maiyuru, a trader said doing business is becoming unsustainable due to high taxation adding that if the government goes ahead to increase tax, it might force them to close down their businesses.

“We are paying huge amounts for the licenses and the high cost of products have led to decreased sales and thus we are making little profit” he remarked.

Maiyuru said the government should lower license fees especially for the small traders because it’s taking a toll on them. Kiambaa MP John Nuguna who presided over the session sought to assure the members of the public that their views will be considered in the finance bill that’s being prepared for the financial year 2024/25.