Housing Levy should be optional says Kakamega County Governor

Butere, Sunday, May 28, 2023

KNA by John Ochanda

Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa has suggested that the housing levy being imposed by the National Government should be optional among the employed citizens.

He said any saving plan initiated by any institution should be optional and not mandatory as advanced by the National Government.

“The three percent being advocated by the National government as housing levy should be of your own free will and not to be forced on Kenyans,” he said.

Speaking in Matungu constituency Saturday during the burial of the late Bishop Beneah Okumu, the governor said the proposal will not spur economic growth in the Country.

“Make the plan voluntarily to allow willing citizens to make savings and purchase a house through the scheme,” he opined.

The governor who was accompanied by his deputy Ayub Savula was reacting to a statement by housing principal secretary Charles Hinga that the proposed house levy will be mandatory to the employed and employers.

Governor Barasa further faulted senators for shooting down the proposed revenue allocation bill that would have seen counties receiving Sh407 billion.

“We want to remind our senators to defend devolution at the senate and not vote along party lines during such a significant occasion on the floor of the house,” he said.

The legislators passed the Division of revenue bill 2023 without amendments allocating devolved units shillings 385 billion in the next financial year.

Courtesy ; K. N. A