Christopher Beth, the visionary founder of a non-profit organisation based in Texas, expressed his deepest concerns regarding taxes imposed by the government on donations his organisation made to aid thousands of beneficiaries in Kenya.
In a recent interview with the Christian Post on Saturday, July 1, the philanthropist conveyed his disappointment, arguing that the taxes strained his relationship with the government.
Beth argued that the government should release its stronghold on life-changing philanthropic initiatives and rather come up with solutions that strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the beneficiaries.
The organisation raised its grievances after announcing plans to distribute easy-to-maintain water filters across slums in Nairobi that benefited from water sourced from the Athi River including Bondeni-Jua Kali, Kanani, Slaughter and Sophia.
“But these life-changing efforts come amid tensions with the Kenyan government. Despite the government’s claim of intending to solve the water crisis, it has actually sought to tax the organisation for providing the filters,” Beth complained.
Beth explained that the water filters were easy to use because they were connected to buckets that promised up to 20-plus years of clean and safe drinking water.
"The initiative is aimed at combating the widespread waterborne diseases that plague these communities, where municipal plumbing and sewage management are non-existent," the philanthropist added.
According to the organisation, the initiative followed a successful mission in Kibera where it equipped half of the households with the filters, drastically reducing self-reported diarrhoea rates within 70 days.
Earlier on June 16, the Parliamentary Committee on Public Petition recommended that National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Director-General Mamo Boru be suspended from office for failing to address the pollution at the Athi River.
The committee was appalled by its findings which unveiled a distressing reality, alleging that the Athi River water was contaminated despite being consumed by thousands of locals.
"We have witnessed a serious state of pollution upstream and the effect of that on consumers who are living and working downstream.
"It is important to note that somebody must take responsibility for this kind of pollution, especially, those charged with the mandate to solve the challenge," noted the committee.
