This archive report was first published on 28 October 2021.
Published on October 28, 2021, a proposed law in Nakuru County aims to boost revenue collections by introducing a fee on flowers. The Nakuru County Flowers Service Charge Bill, 2020, would allow the county to collect one percent of gross sales from flower producers.
The proposed law, which has been passed by the Nakuru County Assembly, would see the county earn nearly Sh300 million from the sale of flowers in Naivasha, a major flower-producing area in the county. The revenue collected would be used for infrastructural development in the area where the revenue was collected, or for any other lawful purpose that benefits the flower producer or seller.
According to data from the Directorate of Horticulture, the country earned Sh50 billion from the sale of flowers between January and June, a drop from Sh58 billion earned in the same period last year. Nakuru County, which produces 60 percent of the total flowers in the country, would have earned Sh30 billion for six months, translating to nearly Sh300 million in revenue if the proposed law is signed into effect.
Flower processing plants would be required to keep records on the mass of flowers and charge deductions made, and retain them for at least seven years. The county would have the right to access these records to verify compliance.
Deputy Majority Whip Isaac Wahome noted that the new charge would go a long way in improving infrastructure within target areas. “Some of the flowers producing areas are served with roads that turn an eyesore during heavy rains. The Bill has come at the right time to enable the county to serve our producers better,” he said.
Nominated member Jane Maina said the new source of revenue would boost the county in its development plans. “Most flowers are produced in areas that are to be upgraded into municipalities. Such areas need a serious facelift, and the millions to be collected through the service charge will be instrumental in realizing these dreams,” she said.
