Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho's office has vowed to defy a directive issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday.
Speaking during a rally in Mombasa, President Kenyatta asked traders at the Kongowea Market not to pay taxes.
However, the order was dismissed by Governor Joho’s team stating that Joho was not consulted on the issue.
[caption caption="Governor Joho"]
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Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, the Governor’s Information Officer, Issac Angole stated that nothing would change even with Kenyatta's announcement.
“The market cannot operate without revenue. Traders will continue paying rent to sustain operations in the market.
"The market was renovated by the national government before being handed over to the county government last year," Mr Angole stated.
He explained that the money used to renovate the market had been given to the National Government by the world bank after which the market was handed back to the county.
The National Government handed the market to the county Government to run and oversee operations, how will the county government manage the markets without money generated from it,” he added.
[caption caption="Governor Joho"]
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Addressing the traders at the market, President Kenyatta, who was flanked by his deputy William Ruto and Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, told traders there was no need to pay levies.
“This market was built by funds from the national government. It was built for the traders and not for an individual.
We will investigate and see if it’s not being used well,” the President affirmed.
“Do not pay until you get services. I am asking police officers not to be used to harass and arrest the traders who will not pay the taxes,” he added directing that individuals harassing the traders be arrested.
