Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru faces a headache after livestock traders in her county vowed to boycott paying taxes.
The livestock traders who spoke to journalists on Thursday complained about the poor state of Kutus Market which they argued has been neglected and is in very poor condition.
While making their case heard, the traders claimed that the facility is filthy and doesn't have toilets which they used as a basis for their resolution on refusal to pay taxes.
The traders claimed they are forced to ease themselves around a university fence which they insisted is very embarrassing to them.
As such, the traders resolved to adopt a hardline stance including ignoring county officials when they present themselves to collect taxes.
"We cannot continue like this, there is no way I will be easing myself in a university fence where my children pass by and see me, that is very embarrassing", one trader said.
"We acknowledge the efforts being made in this market, but we will not be paying taxes for a market that lacks proper sanitization", another trader echoed.
The Kutus market facelift was part of the projects that cost Ann Waiguru Ksh 142 million in a major Kerugoya Kutus Municipality transformation.
In the facelift, the County Government constructed 14 modern markets including Kutus Market.
The first phase of the transformation project involved Ksh 71.2 million which was used for the construction of Kutus parking spaces, the construction of Kerugoya Fresh Produce Market, and the building of a daycare center and a storage unit at Kaitheri Apparel Factory in Kerugoya.
The second phase of the project involved the construction of car parks adjacent to Kerugoya County and Referral Hospital, upgrading of selected streets and non-motorable ways to bitumen standards as well and improving the drainage system along the highway in Kerugoya Town.
The traders have now called upon the County Government of Kirinyaga to construct the toilets and help improve the condition of the market.
