Several Hoteliers have asked the Government to waive VAT, Training levy and other taxes so that they can also lower Hotel room charges for Kenyans seeking “self-Quarantine” after coming from abroad.
However, a senior manager at one of the Hotels which has been earmarked as a quarantine facility, told Hot News that the Government hasn’t answered them 3 days after they made the request.
Kenyans arriving into the Country have complained that they are being forced to pay a daily accommodation fee of shs 12,500 at High end Hotels.
Last week, the Central Bank of Kenya released Shs 7.4 billion to support Government efforts to contain the spread of Covid -19.
Kenyans coming from Countries that have been hit by the pandemic have been forced to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine in order not to spread the disease.
Some of the Hotels earmarked as Quarantine centers are the Boma Hotel in South C, Crown Plaza, Four Points by Sheraton, Hilton Gardens among others.
Those who cannot afford the High-end Hotels are being Quarantined at Kenyatta University and the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete.
Initially, they complained that they are being forced to part with shs 5,000 as screening fee for the Covid-19
Several MPs told Hot News on phone that the Kenyan Government should do more than just giving Kenyans statistics.
“The President should address the pertinent issues of food security, water and how businesses will be cushioned against the loses. We are happy for the Internet, but majority of Kenyans do not need that Internet now,” said an MP from Nairobi who sought anonymity.
“For the record, I support government quarantine but exposing people like this is callous. For 14 hours now the passengers are still being tossed from one institution to another (Slept at JKIA, taken to KU and blocked, dumped at UoN Lower Kabete and now being taken to an undisclosed location in Karen. No food, no water, nothing. Those supporting this because they will bring you corona you are missing the point. The government announced they have facilities to quarantine these passengers, they should do so, and no one has refused to pay the money they are asking,” Posted Joseph Kariuki the International Justice Mission Communication Manager on face book.
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