Kakamega county revenue rises after shake-up

The county government recorded 47 per cent increase in revenue collection for August and September compared to the same period last year.

Statistics provided by the county administration showed Sh134.5 million was collected last month against Sh34.5 million collected during the same period the previous year.

In August, the county raked in Sh55.4 million, representing 2.5 per cent increase from what was collected the previous year.

Most of the collections were from markets across the 12 sub-counties, hospitals and other institutions.

“Projections indicate we will surpass the annual Sh2 billion annual target set out for us,” said Dickson Rayori, the county director of communication.

According to Rayori, the exact data capturing collection made in the past two months will be made public during planned revenue collection review meeting that will be presided over by Governor Wycliffe Oparanya today.

Major restructuring

The county chief has vowed to triple local revenue instead of relying on the equitable share from the national government.

Mr Oparanya (pictured) is confident his administration has the capacity to collect at least Sh3 billion.

He embarked on major restructuring of his administration and sent 143 revenue clerks on 60-day compulsory leave on August 6 in order to seal revenue leaks.

The governor directed community administrators to execute the duties of revenue clerks under the supervision of ward and sub-county administrators as well as the county executive chiefs.

The county government realised a slight increase in revenue collection from Sh500 million to Sh890 million last year against a set target of Sh1.5 billion.

Deputy Governor Philip Kutima cited Lubao market where daily collection rose from Sh3,000 to over Sh60,000.

Oparanya has been urging county executive officers to be vigilant to ensure the county realises optimum revenue collection.