COUNTY RESIDENTS URGED TO PAY TAX

Residents and businessmen in Kakamega County have been asked to pay tax so as to continue enjoying government services uninterrupted.

Speaking today at the funeral of the late Mama Paulina Odhuno Mumia, in Ebuchirinya village, Musanda Ward, Mumias West Sub-County, H.E. Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya emphasized the need for locals to embrace the government’s digital platform of collecting revenue by just dialing *606# once to register and proceed to remit the required dues for various business activities and government taxable services. The Governor said the government targets to collect Sh3B this financial year. He added that currently Kakamega’s annual own revenue stands at Sh900M.

On politics, Governor Oparanya asked aspirants to allow the incumbents to complete their term in office before submitting their agenda to the electorate constitutionally. Oparanya however confirmed to the residents his readiness and ambition to lead the Republic of Kenya as President which he based on his solid experience in politcs and development track record.

The Governor said he is determined to revive Mumias Sugar Company and asked farmers to quickly embark on planting sugarcane. He plans to unveil the report on the *protection of public assets in the wider Mumias region and revival of Mumias Sugar Company limited* and proceed to implement the recommendations. The report was compiled by a taskforce which was chaired by CEC Member for Trade, Industrialization and Tourism Mr. Kassim Were.

Governor Oparanya reminded residents of the most awaited national census exercise to take place on 24th of this month and requested them to invite all their family members who reside outside the county to come back home in time for the headcount. He said the total number of the county’s population will determine its revenue allocation from the national sharable kitty. “This is important as it will determine the services the government will deliver to the citizens in the next ten years,” he noted.

The late Mama Mumia was mother to the former MCA for Musanda Ward Hon. Francis Omulama.

Also present were Mumias West MP Hon. Johnson Naica, Musanda Ward MCA Hon. Ashiachi Wanda, over 20 Hon. MCAs, CEC Member for ICT, e-Government and Communication Dr. George Akolo Lutomia, CO Social Services, Youths, Sports and Culture Mr. Phitalis Were Masakhwe, CO Housing, Urban Areas and Physical Planning Mr. Patrick Lukoko, Sub-County Administrator Mr. Protus Mwairumba, among other mourners.