Business owners in Kajiado County have raised concerns over the proposed Finance Bill, decrying what they termed as punitive charges for business permits. The issue was raised during a public participation forum held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, which was convened by the Kajiado County Assembly Sectoral Committee on Finance, Economic Planning and ICT for the Ongata Rongai and Nkaimurunya wards.
Ongata Rongai Bar owners, led by their chairman John Maina, criticized the Ksh.6,000 fee required to obtain a business permit under the new bill. According to the proposal, wines and spirits retailers will pay Ksh.6,000 annually, wholesalers Ksh.10,000, and distributors Ksh.15,000, while local bars will pay Ksh.4,000. The charges apply uniformly across Zone A (municipality towns) and Zone B (interior parts of the county).
Maina argued that the fees were punitive and would hurt small businesses already struggling with high operational costs. “We are not against regulation, but these charges are simply too high for ordinary business people. We urge the County Assembly to reconsider this bill because it will cripple many of us,” Maina said.
The forum was chaired by Olkeri MCA Stephen Ngatho who defended the proposed charges, saying they were intended to safeguard children from the proliferation of wines and spirits outlets in residential areas. “These outlets pose a real threat to our children. The charges are fair, and in fact, they are on the lower side compared to other counties,” he told participants.
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Despite the explanation, bar owners presented a memorandum to the MCAs, urging them to review the bill and reduce the proposed fees. They argued that the hospitality sector, already burdened by taxes, would be disproportionately affected.
Other sectors highlighted as being badly hit by the proposed Finance Bill include water, transport, agriculture, and privately run education institutions. Stakeholders from these sectors also called on the County Assembly to drop the newly introduced and increased charges.
Ngatho urged all Kajiado residents with concerns to submit written memoranda to the County Assembly within seven days for consideration and review.
By Masaki Enock
