Reprieve for miraa transporters as Joho withdraws tax to Mombasa County
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has ordered the withdrawal of tax payments for miraa transporters to Mombasa County.
In a roadside declaration, Joho promised miraa farmers, no charges shall be imposed on their precious commodity heading to Mombasa County.
Mombasa County Assembly in 2014 rejected a motion that proposed a ban on consumption of miraa by public service drivers.
"I have heard what Raila has said and promised once elected President. He has promised to open a market for miraa in Somalia, Somaliland, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Due to your warm welcome, from today, we will not charge tax for miraa heading to Mombasa County,” Joho said.
A Mombasa County Draft finance Bill 2020-2021 stipulates a charge of Ksh 1,000 for a sack of Miraa and Ksh 1,000 for every box of Miraa getting into the county.
Transporters have been transporting miraa to Mombasa have been paying about Ksh 45, 000 at the Miritini tax barrier.
Joho also took the opportunity to urge the residents that they will be in a better position to discuss the way forward for the county and country if they elect Raila as the president come 2022.
The county chief was speaking during a campaign trail with the Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga in Maua, Meru County.
On his part, Raila promised to ensure residents and farmers from the region and the larger Ameru community get value for their farm produce.
Raila is currently in Meru County and has been on a tour of the vote-rich Mt Kenya, popularising himself with the region ahead of the August 2022 elections.
