Governor James Ongwae has assented three bills into law creating a legal framework for their operationalization and implementation.
The three Bills, the Kisii County Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2015, The Kisii County Business Licensing Bill, 2015 were recently passed by the Kisii County Assembly.
The Kisii County Business Licensing Bill, 2015 provides for licensing of businesses and trade activities and related purposes. The Bill also provides for a framework for the appointment of the Chief Business Licensing officer who is responsible for the issuance of business licenses. It also provides for mechanisms for foreign investment in the county procedures for registration.
Speaking at the ceremony Ongwae reiterated his government quest to formulate key legislations in delivery of service to the people.
Accompanied by the Assembly Speaker Mr Kerosi Ondieki and the County Secretary Mr Johnstone Ndege, the governor also assented into law Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill that provides for the licensing and regulation of the production, sale, distribution, consumption, and outdoor advertising, of alcoholic drinks, and for connected purposes.
In the law, persons below the age of eighteen are expressly protected from negative impacts of alcoholic drinks on their health and social development and from exposure to advertisements of alcoholic drinks.
It also seeks to educate the residents in the county on the harmful health, economic and social consequences of the consumption of alcoholic drinks. The law establishes the County Alcoholic Drinks Control Directorate which will be tasked to formulating regulations for the operationalization of the law. The directorate will also establish rehabilitation facilities and programs to persons dependent on alcoholic drinks.
Ongwae said the county will form an implementation committee that will see the implementation of the laws passed by the assembly and assented to.
Meanwhile issues of imposition of rates on land and buildings in the County have now a legal framework. The Kisii County Rating Bill, 2015 provides for the administration of the Act and general provision which include; forms of rating, imposition of rates, default to pay rates, discount for early payment and penalty for the late payment, recovery of rates, valuation roll, and power to make rules or regulations and savings.
Other senior county officers who witnessed the signing include Chairman of the Public Service Board Hon. David Kombo, Chief Officer Administration Mr Patrick Lumumba and the Deputy County Attorney Mr Ken Onsembe.
