- Governor Barasa observed that the county revenue has registered an increase in the financial year 2021/22, our county collected a total of Ksh. 1.2 Billion against a target of Ksh. 1.6 Billion. He thanked all partners, led by KCB bank, NHIF, National, Police Service, Safaricom, One Acre Fund, and Boda boda Sacco, among others for their collaboration and urged them to commit more to revenue collection as it was the backbone of both the national and county governments
By Andanje Wakhungu
The Governor of Kakamega County Fernandes Barasa has lauded his revenue collection officers for committing themselves and providing effective service to the public. Speaking at Bukhungu stadium last week, the Governor celebrated the officers following enhanced revenue collection. He pledged to empower them with more working tools that will enable them to maximise revenue collections.
The governor observed that the county revenue has registered an increase in the financial year 2021/22, our county collected a total of Ksh. 1.2 Billion against a target of Ksh. 1.6 Billion, translating to 76% performance whereas nationally, all the 47 county governments averaged a total of Ksh. 35.9 Billion against the set target of Ksh. 60.4 Billion during the same period, which represents a performance rate of 59.4%.
We are happy because we have been able to achieve better results against the backdrop of financial uncertainties orchestrated by the delayed disbursement of funds from the National Treasury. Streamlining our financial resources and enhancing our revenue streams is the only way to go and that is why I’m handing over working tools to Kakamega County Revenue Agency (KCRA) staff to enable them to increase efficiency and effectiveness in revenue collection.
Shieywe Ward Moses Musundi representing the Kakamega County assembly finance committee chairperson in the meeting thanked the governor and his administration for ensuring all stakeholders in revenue collections were invited to participate in giving out their views. Present were the County partners, who greatly contributed to revenue collections i.e National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) team, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Kakamega County Assembly, Boda Boda team led by their Kakamega County Chairperson and Sugar Millers representatives.
The revenue department requested the governor to consider and act on the challenges encountered when collecting revenue, stating that they faced a lot of hurdles in their line of duty which needs to be addressed to increase efficiency.
The Governor thanked all partners, led by KCB bank, NHIF, National, Police Service, Safaricom, One Acre Fund, and Boda boda Sacco, among others for their collaboration and urged them to commit more to revenue collection as it was the backbone of both the national and county governments. Governor Barasa further called on the residents to comply with his officers and remit their taxes to enable more development within the county, sub-county and ward levels.
