10 Ways the County Licensing (Uniform Procedures) Bill, 2022 Will Transform Garissa Businesses

The Committee on Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives wrapped up public hearings on the County Licensing (Uniform Procedures) Bill, 2022.

The Committee had an engagement with residents of the Coast and North Eastern regions on the bill which aims to standardize licensing procedures across county governments.

In separate sessions held at Mama Asha Jawaba Hall in Kilifi County and Garissa Library Hall in Garissa County, stakeholders cited multiple and high taxation as a significant barrier to conducting business.

The vice chairperson of the Committee Hon. Marianne Kitany (Aldai), led the team in Kilifi, while Hon. Robert Gichimu (Gichugu) spearheaded the sub-committee that engaged residents of Garissa County.

“Fishermen pay taxes to the county government. The market women who deal in fish also pay taxes to the same authority and also to the Kenya Revenue Authority. It is unfair to subject small-scale traders to multiple taxation,” stated Abdulkathar Mohamed.

While responding to the concerns, Committee Members assured the public that their feedback would be considered.

They emphasized that the enactment of the Bill into law would address the issue of multiple taxation and usher in more business-friendly licensing procedures.

“We shall carefully review and consider all the feedback we have received from the public during the hearings we have conducted across the country,” assured Hon. Kitany.