Nairobi: Kisii County Assembly has passed the 2025 Finance Bill, setting out new charges and permit rates for businesses across the county. Speaking to the press at the Assembly premises in Kisii town, Budget Committee Chairperson, Peter Otachi, said the bill will determine the specific amounts that entrepreneurs will pay to the county to obtain business permits and other licenses. Otachi noted they had tried to make the charges as fair as possible with lower charges in sub-counties and slightly higher ones in towns.
According to Kenya News Agency, the new bill merged several business-related charges and scrapped fees that the clergy previously paid to the county. For example, the single business permit will now cover both fire safety and waste disposal fees, at a cost of Sh 500. This adjustment is expected to reduce the total revenue paid by these small businesses from Sh 6000 to Sh 3000 and ease the burden on small-scale traders.
In contrast, the soapstone industry in South Mugirango will see a steep increase in flat-rate levy on raw soapstone from Sh 20,000 to Sh 50,000. 'This is meant to encourage the establishment of a soapstone factory and prevent unprocessed materials from being moved out of the area,' noted the Chairperson. Otachi added that landowners seeking to convert land use from agricultural to residential will now pay Sh 5000 instead of the previous Sh 10000.
The bill also introduces a new annual fee of Sh 500000 for billboard advertisement, a move that Otachi noted will not affect the common citizen. 'The billboard companies earn substantial advertising revenue, sometimes collecting up to Sh 800000 a month,' he said. Additionally, motorbike operators will pay Sh 300 per month or Sh 2000 annually for their licenses.
In order to curb corruption and ensure proper revenue collection, Otachi urged those building houses in villages to pay their construction fees at sub-county offices at a cost of Sh 3000 instead of engaging quack revenue agents who will overcharge them huge amounts of money. He said the county will also hire Revenue Enforcement Officers to strengthen revenue collection and enhance accountability. 'We want to make sure every coin goes to the county's account,' Otachi added.
The Finance Bill is expected to boost Kisii's revenue base while ensuring fairness across different economic zones in the county.