Withdrawn Finance Bill had benefits of removing some taxes: CS Murkomen

Speaking during the media briefing on the upcoming CAC Road Cycling African Championship in Nairobi, Murkomen explained that the Finance Bill collapsed despite having good benefits to the local mwananchi such as withdrawal of certain taxes. 

His remarks come at a time when President William Ruto's administration claimed that Kenyan youth were incited through fake information to take to the streets, citing a lack of proper communication on their part. 

CS Murkomen was responding to a series of concerns over the taxes in the cycling industry that have hampered efforts for Kenyan cyclists to compete and thrive on the international stage. 

"I really didn't think that bicycles were being taxed but if that be the case, I'll take it up with the Ministry of Finance to see whether in the next Finance Bill we should remove some of the taxes," Murkomen explained. 

"Unfortunately, the other Finance Bill collapsed and it had certain benefits that were removing certain taxes that were in other areas of the economy, not cycling though," he added. 

The Sports CS also reiterated his stance on inviting the private sector to invest in stadiums, noting that it will revitalise the sports industry by ensuring the infrastructures consist of state-of-the-art technology. 

"I will be organising a roundtable meeting to see how the corporates can be given an opportunity in sports," he noted. 

"When I came into office, I insisted that the only way we can build confidence in the sports management and development is by making sure the Federations are run professionally and in an accountable manner," he added. 

Following the Gen-Z-led protests held in June and July, President Ruto formally asked Parliament to withdraw the bill.

The government has, however, revealed plans to re-introduce some of the taxes that were non-contentious.