Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has said that he is willing to pay as much taxes as possible as long as resources are not plundered.
Mwangangi said there is a need to ensure that taxes are put to good use by the government, citing the education sector as one of those sectors whose funding must be well addressed.
"I have no problem even paying up to 60-70 per cent (taxes) as long as that money goes to what it is supposed to do," the governor said during an interview with Citizen TV.
"We need to ensure our taxes are well taken care of and that as Kenyans we see where these taxes are going," Mwangangi said in a Citizen TV interview on Thursday.
Speaking to the proposed Finance Bill, 2023, Mwangagi said that Kenyans are overwhelmed by the current tax regime.
He said the government must streamline their collection modules not to pressure Kenyans even more.
“When the National government takes 52 per cent from Kenyans and then there is that taxation from country governments, I think there is a challenge. We need conversation and agree at some point so that the two levels of government meet somewhere,” Mwangangi said.
The Finance Bill 2023 seeks to introduce a tax on human hair, eyelashes, switches, and artificial nails to rake in more revenue from the cosmetics industry.
It also proposes a 3 per cent tax for all employees towards the national housing fund for low-cost houses.
However, trade unions have already threatened to call for protests and strikes if the proposed taxation in the bill is enacted.
The opposition coalition has asked Azimio MPs to reject the bill in its entirety saying it is meant to load Kenyans with more pain at a time when they are struggling.
