Governor Sakaja picks Math expert to shore up Nairobi's revenues

Governor Johnson Sakaja has nominated mathematician Andrew Chege to head the Nairobi Revenue Authority (NRA) as chairman as the county chief bids to improve the devolved unit’s income.

Sakaja said he is banking on Chege's knowledge and experience to salvage the city’s revenue collection.

Chege, who appeared before the Wilfred Odallo-led County Assembly Budget and Finance Committee on Tuesday for vetting, said he is worth Sh1.45 billion.

The mathematician told the committee that if he succeeds, his target is to increase revenue collection from the current Sh20 billion per year to Sh80 billion.

“Nairobi should act as a model for other counties in everything, including revenue collection. We only need to put proper measures in place and the rest will follow,” he said.

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Chege who said he has a rich background in mathematics, told the MCAs he made his wealth from various private investments

“I have studied statistics and I have applied the same. I appreciate my good use of mathematics. I have also studied computer science which is a very useful tool in today’s operations,” he told the team.

“The national government owes Nairobi billions of shillings. We need a way how we will recover this money instead of harassing poor Kenyans,” said Chege.

Chege served as Kenya Revenue Authority director of statistics for more than a decade, and will now head the recently launched NRA if his bid succeeds.

The Nairobi Revenue System was recently launched by Sakaja after he kicked out the Kenya Revenue Authority over poor revenue collection during the Nairobi Metropolitan Services regime.

There will also be the Nairobi City County Revenue Administration Authority that will be headed by a board.

The budget committee will issue a report next week for the assembly to approve or reject Chege’s nomination.