The dead to pay tax in Kiambu County; Residents to pay fee before burrying loved ones

You think you’ve heard of crazy laws like Zimbabwe women being taxed Shs 400 per scream during labour. Well, you must read this, the Kiambu County government will now heavily tax the dead, or should we say the bereaved. As per the Kiambu County finance bill, if your domesticated animal dies, you will have to part with a fee before you burry or dispose it. For cows, a Shs 400 fee will apply, Shs 150 for goats or sheep, Shs 20 for chicken, Shs 250 for a pig and Shs 20 for a dead rabbit. Well, you better pray that a plaque does not arise and kill several of your livestock.

The County which is considered one of the richest in the country seems to be devising new avenues of raising revenues. Kiambu County is highly industrialized which several industries especially in Limuru, Githunguri and Thika towns. Due to its proximity to the capital city of Nairobi, real estate development is also a booming business with the Tatu City development being the recent top notch upcoming development. However, the 80-20 rule still applies with majority of its residents living under the line of poverty. A few rich individuals in the county command over 80% of developments which include tea and coffee business, real estate, dairy farming and manufacturing industries to name a few. The said few also feature in the list of Kenya’s richest people.

Kiambu government has since come out to clarify the details of the bill and termed media reports on the bill as misleading. In a recent publication, the bill also states that for graves to burry your loved ones at your homes, a fee of Shs 4,500 will apply for adults, Shs 3,000 for children and Shs 2,500 for infants. To burry them at cemeteries,  Shs 8,000 applies to citizens who die within the county, Shs 10,000 for those dying outside the county, Shs 25,000 for non citizens and Shs 30,000 for grave maintenance every time they are renovated. In cases of grave re-opening (e.g.: in cases of court orders), Shs 15,000 will apply for adults, Shs 10,000 for children and Shs 5,000 for infants. In a section termed as :Fees under solid waste management”, collection of dead animals within premises will cost Shs 400 for small animals and Shs 4,000 for large animals like donkeys, horses, camels and pigs. Well, Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has since come out to state that the bill will not be revised leading to a major outcry among residents. Death in Kiambu now still remains a costly affair.

By: Jeremiah Opata