Governor: We'll privatise and automate revenue collection

  DP William Ruto chats with Trans Nzoia county governor Patrick Khaemba during a thanksgiving ceremony at St.Teresa boys secondary school Bikeke in Kitale On Saturday May 9th, 2015. [PHOTO: PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD]

The county is set to privatise and automate revenue collection in an effort to stamp out corruption and increase revenue mobilisation.

Speaking to The Standard, Governor Patrick Khaemba said the county had lost millions of shillings through county employees who failed to remit collected revenue.

"Our budgetary implementation has been hampered by low revenue collection across the county. Streamlining has, however, taken place in the finance department," he said.

The governor said the new initiative would lead to more funds collected, which would in turn help the county finance its development projects as well as increase efficiency in the revenue sector.

"Personnel on secondment from the Government have been engaged to enhance management of the automation system and procurement processes," he said.

With these changes, Mr Khaemba said he was hopeful that the county's revenue collection would experience a steady rise.

NO LOOPHOLES

"We continue to realise improvement in revenue collection and believe once fully automated, the leaks that have caused revenue loss will be history.

"So far, the Ifmis and G-pay systems are smoothly operational and we are in the process of establishing e-procurement," he said.

The county chief also revealed that his administration would soon establish a County Anti-Corruption Civilian Oversight Committee.

He said the committee would play an important role in sensitising residents about corruption as well as promoting transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

The governor said the team would comprise respected "non-civil servant" residents whose integrity was beyond reproach.

He also challenged MPs to fully support the Division of Revenue Bill for citizens to fully enjoy the fruits of devolution.

He said it was difficult for governors to make budgets when they did not know how much their allocation would be.