Promote business, counties told

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) has asked devolved governments to widen the basis of revenue collection by increasing wealth creation and preventing double taxation.

Concerns have been raised that county governments are overtaxing businesses as they look for money to fund various projects.

Speaking during a retreat with county executive members at Leisure Lodge Resort in Diani on Friday, Kepsa head of public-private dialogue Agatha Juma said if counties need more money, they should ensure they promote more businesses.

She said by increasing wealth creation and opportunities, the private sector would be relieved, since counties would have many companies to collect revenue from.

“We appreciate that counties need to raise money and the only place they can go to is the private sector but they should not tax those who are already paying taxes,” he said.

Ms Juma said companies were signing a code of ethics as a way of fighting corruption, a process driven by the private sector and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers.

She added that Kepsa has drafted an Anti-Bribery Bill, which imposes stiff sanctions on corrupt companies and individuals.

“I doubt that you can eliminate corruption, but every business has to put in place mechanisms that will ensure that their suppliers and distributors do not fall prey to such practices,” she said.