Mombasa market traders ignore President Kenyatta's order not to pay taxes

More than 4,000 traders at the Kongowea Wholesale Market in Mombasa have disregarded President Uhuru Kenyatta's order not to pay taxes to the county government.

READ: Don't pay taxes, Uhuru tells Mombasa traders

A visit to the market revealed that business was going on as usual as the levies collectors went round collecting space payment from the traders.

Fruit and vegetable vendors pay Sh30 whereas second-hand (mitumba) seller are charged Sh50 daily.

Those occupying the refurbished Sh320 million market are charged a monthly payment.

“We knew it was just a political statement. We could not hesitate from paying what is expected of us,” said a mango vendor, Mr Bakari Mwitsa.

Mombasa administration also criticised President Kenyatta for trying to undermine the tourism economy by directing traders at the market against paying taxes.

'No authority'

“Traders ignored his call and went ahead to pay levies without hitches. He has no authority on businesses at the market as it is under devolved unit. We have been doing all the works required from us,” said county communication director Richard Chacha.

On Monday, President Kenyatta opened a new battlefront with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho when he asked the traders at the largest open air market not to pay taxes.

President Kenyatta, who was flanked by his deputy William Ruto and Nyali MP Mohamed Ali addressed the traders at the market, saying there was no need for them to pay levies if they do not get services from the county.

He cited collection of garbage and putting of drainage in the market among services not being done at the market.

The President said the National Youth Service (NYS) will from next week embark on cleaning it.

Harassing traders

“Do not pay until you get services. I am asking police officers here not to be used to harass and arrest the traders who will not pay the taxes,” he added.

He also ordered for the arrest of individuals harassing the traders.

On Tuesday, NYS personnel led by their regional commander Zakaria Mutua had started cleaning the market.

“We will clear the heap of garbage and clean the whole market. We will also fumigate the whole market,” said Mr Mutua at the market.

Kongowea is the biggest market at the Coast and one of the county’s key revenue earners.

It was renovated by the national government at a cost of Sh320 million before being handed over to the county government last year.

It is one of the devolved unit’s key revenue earners.