Former Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe has broken his silence after a long hiatus, criticising the proposed Farm Produce Tax that has faced stiff opposition in Mt. Kenya.
Speaking in Tigania East over the weekend, alongside Peter Munya, the former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Kagwe criticised the tax describing it as an ill advised taxation policy.
The former CS argued that farmers needed to make profits before remitting tax.
Kagwe, used this stance to question the quality of Kenyan leadership and whether political leaders are operating in the best interests of Kenyans.
“That is why the purpose of our education must be now going forward to move the Kenyan nation from one of the hecklers and hustlers to one of a wealthy nation,” Kagwe charged.
Both Kagwe and Munya, castigated the government stating that the Kenya Kwanza government should have implemented procedures and structures that help farmers increase output before moving to tax them.
“One can not pay tax from what they have sold, as it is not profit, they should pay tax from profit and not the 30 per cent of sales as stated in the proposed tax," explained Munya.
The proposed Farm Produce Tax has attracted widespread criticism, particularly from leaders within the Mount Kenya Region who have insisted the proposed tax will be oppressive for farmers.
Regarding the same issue, Deputy President Gachagua over the weekend promised to hold a meeting with stakeholders in the Avocado sector on Tuesday, March 12, aimed at ironing out issues arising from the tax.
Gachagua stated that the meeting will address the issues raised by farmers ever since the idea of effecting the tax was floated.
"I have convened a meeting between Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Mithika Linturi, and officials of avocado farmers to address the issues affecting the farmers and find the way forward," Gachagua stated on Sunday.
Additionally, Kenya Kwanza leaders have also come out to reassure farmers that they would be working with the necessary stakeholders to come to a conclusion on the now contentious tax.
