The Mountain Journal
Presidential candidate Raila Odinga has asked Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to consider other avenues to resolve wrangles pertaining to taxes with Keroche Industries instead of closing the company.
Odinga observed that closing the company will not only hurt the investor but will negatively impact on hundreds of employees and their families.
Speaking in Murang’a when he took Azimio la Umoja campaigns, and popularize Murang’a Jubilee Party Gubernatorial candidate Jamleck Kamau, he said, there is need for the taxman to consider other ways as the Naivasha based factory supports many families, and thousands of farmers who supply with sorghum and barley.
Photo/ Raila Odinda with Murang’a gubernatorial candidate Jamleck Kamau during a Azimio La
Umoja campaign train in Murang’a county. On the right is Martha Karau running mate to Odinga.
He defended Keroche, saying the company is an investment by Kenyans and also beneficial to residents in creation of avenues of employment in the country.
“The actions of the government should not kill already existing enterprises. Our country needs more industries to fight increased unemployment among the youth,” said the Presidential candidate when he met more than 3,000 residents drawn from various parts in the county.
The presidential candidate noted out that if a business has failed to pay taxes, it should not be closed down since the impact will not only affect the investor but also the employees.
He noted that the government should remove punitive bureaucratic taxation systems, adding that if taxes are too high, businesses have a tendency of evading them.
Thika was established as an industrial town but that has not been realized. If Azimio la Umoja forms the next government, be sure more industries will be set up in Thika and this will help in job creation and revenue generation, Odinga added.
If Azimio la Umoja forms the government, he said , will give priority to industrialization, noting that it will be a remedy for unemployment and poor economic growth.
Odinga downplayed the notion that he cannot be able to get big support from central Kenya terming his running mate as a door to the vote-rich region.
Martha Karua on her part said corruption is a barrier to development since it affects many factors fueling economic growth such as investment, taxation, and effectiveness of public expenditure.
Murang’a Jubilee gubernatorial Candidate said they are now openly drumming up support for the former Prime minister without fear of intimidation having chosen Karua as his running mate.
Also in the campaign trail was former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth.
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