County goes digital on revenue collection

The county government has launched a Sh38.5 million automated revenue collection system. ICT Executive Barnabas Sang said the move is aimed at meeting the Sh2.5 billion annual target set by the Commission on Revenue Allocation.

Mr Sang said the launch of the Automated Revenue Collection and Financial Management System dubbed 'UG Pay' will increase efficiency as more clients will be able to access more services without necessarily going to government premises.

He said the system includes wireless point of sale (POS) gadgets carried by revenue collectors that will generate receipts for clients after they pay for services like car parking and business permits.

"The system also has a website where residents can access a portal and create personal self-service accounts through which they can pay for services like land rates, cess, environmental certificates among other services," he said.

During the launch of the system at Kamagut on Friday, he told the Press that they have purchased 200 wireless POS machines to roll out the first phase of automation but will be working with three banks to acquire more gadgets.

"The system helps generate revenue collection information necessary for analysis," added Sang.

He said cases of money getting lost are perpetrated by some county officers, who receive cash from the public but fail to submit it, citing a case where some collectors are under investigation over the loss of Sh12.5 million lost last year.

Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno said the project would go a long way in helping the county reach its annual revenue targets, a feat they have not attained since the devolved units were created.