Kiambu County Assembly successfully passed the County Finance Bill 2025 on Wednesday, concluding two days of intense debate and review.
The final version of the bill will serve as a boost for local traders and residents, as it introduces lower charges and a more adaptable business licensing system.
Members of the County Assembly engaged in a thorough scrutiny of the legislation after its second reading on Tuesday, driven by the desire to strike common ground between the county’s need to raise revenue and the necessity of supporting the local economy and citizens.
A key departure from the norm in previous years centres on the validity period for trading licences. Instead of expiring at the end of the calendar year, licences will now be valid for a full twelve working months from the moment they are issued.
This progressive adjustment ensures fairness, guaranteeing that businesses receive the complete value of their payment regardless of when they obtain their licence during the year.
In a measure designed to foster creativity and youth empowerment, the Bill also mandates a waiver of fees for young people working as videographers and photographers in public areas, a step that is expected to encourage broader participation and growth within Kiambu’s burgeoning creative sector.
The amendments received widespread approval from the Assembly Members who praised the new licence duration, calling it a notable step forward for traders in Kiambu County that would simplify compliance.
They praised the fee exemption as proper recognition for the role young professionals play in the creative economy.
During the plenary session, the MCAs also scrutinised various fees levied by the Public Health Department on business premises. Following strong arguments by several members advocating for more affordable health-related charges, a fifty percent reduction in public health fees was proposed specifically for non-food businesses, a proposal that was unanimously adopted by the committee.
The passage of the Finance Bill signifies a major accomplishment in Kiambu County’s financial planning for the upcoming year.
Assembly Speaker Charles M. Thiong’o concluded the proceedings by commending the MCAs for their diligence and unity, noting that Kiambu was among the first counties in Kenya to approve its 2025 Finance Bill.
By Hellen Lunalo
