BY MANUEL ODENY

Senior officials from the Migori county government have met with officials from three sub-county boda boda groups to help in streaming revenue collections.

For about two years boda boda riders from Uriri, Suna East and Suna West sub-counties have not been remitting revenue while the rest from the other six regions have been remitting them.

In Uriri, Public Service Management and Devolution executive John Kobado led the team while in Suna East and Suna West Mercy Okwanyo, Lands and Physical planning led the team.

“We have agreed that we will continue and resume with revenue collection with immediate effect,” Kobado said.

He said the sector is important and issues surrounding revenue and safety was discussed in the meeting.

“For the past two and half years the three sub-counties were exempted from payment of taxes and cess, we will resume their work closely,” he said.

“We had a fruitful meeting where we identified the obstacles preventing effective revenue collection and agreed that, moving forward, boda boda riders will start paying taxes,” said Kobado added.

Migori has been looking at ways of bolstering their revenue streams.

James Kamala, the chairperson of the Uriri Sub-County Boda Boda Association, assured the county government that riders are committed to complying with the new tax payment agreement. 

He also highlighted some of the challenges that have previously hindered tax collection, including employment-related issues among boda boda operators.

Kamala stated that during Governor Ochilo Ayacko’s campaign, he promised to include youths from the boda boda sector in his government through employment.