Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has declared there will be no turning back in cracking down on liquor outlets operating in the county without licenses.
The Governor who emphasized that the crackdown that started a week ago will go on until all operators are compliant noted that there have been cartels who have been misleading bar owners against paying taxes.
Waiguru made the remarks yesterday in Mwea shortly after launching an accelerated roads rehabilitation program for Mwea Rice Irrigation Scheme.
She said that since the crackdown began, the county has collected Sh19 million in unpaid taxes from bar owners.
The governor said her administration was keen on listening to and addressing grievances by traders with the aim of forging harmony, adding that some of the issues raised by traders will be addressed through a proposed bill to be tabled soon in the County Assembly.
“Bar owners should not allow themselves to be misled by some of their officials who, do not own business in Kirinyaga,” she said, adding she is aware that the chair of the bar owners’ association in Kirinyaga has been pushing for non-payment of licenses despite not owning any bar in the county.
“When we close your premises, it is the individual trader who is going to lose business and clients and not the chairman,” Waiguru noted.
She said bar traders have been comparing Kirinyaga County with the neighboring counties where they claim the licenses are low.
“If you think our taxes are exorbitant, you are free to move to the county of your choice and do your business there, but if you are operating in Kirinyaga, you must comply with the payment of taxes,” she said.
