Senator Wilfred Machage (L) and Governor Okoth Obado

Kehancha residents have refused to pay taxes to county government for several months prompting a bitter exchange between county leaders.

Migori governor Okoth Obado has accused senator Wilfred Machage and Bukuria East MCA Mathews Chacha for inciting town residents against paying taxes.

Speaking in Migori town on Friday when he addressed former councilors at a funds drive, Obado accused the two of ensuring that boda boda operators and traders of refusing the pay taxes.

He said Machage as a father figure should encourage locals to pay taxes instead of skiving saying he has been using Chacha who is his right hand man.

But Machage told Migori News that he will sue Obado over the remarks saying he the remarks were defamatory.

Chacha said Obado’s remarks were unfortunate and called on the governor to address residents issues directly saying
Machage only knew of the impasse a week ago when he came to the ground.

He said residents wanted waste to be collected on time, stalled market project completed, stalls allocated well and drugs and service at Kehancha District Hospital.

“They also want to have running water, functioning toilets, prompt waste collection and a stalled market finished before they resume paying taxes. We were not involve in the standoff,” he said.