Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/nakurugo/public_html/wp-content/themes/thegov/core/class/single-post.php on line 534

Nakuru County records Sh320m increase in revenue collection

County Government of Nakuru has recorded an increase in revenue collection despite depressed economic activity caused by the long electioneering period.

The County collected Sh.2.28 billion in the 2017/2018 Financial Year up from Sh1.96 billion collected in the 2016/2017 Financial year.

Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the success of any County initiatives will depend on the capacity to raise revenue for its projects.

“The County seeks to reduce its dependence on National Treasury disbursements through creation of a robust revenue base,” said the Govenor.

He said the County will continue working to improve revenue collection.

“Despite the increase, the County was only able to realise about 40 percent of its potential,” he said.

The 16 percent (Sh320 million) increase has been attributed to deliberate measures taken by the County to seal revenue loss loopholes, increase accountability and rotation of staff.

“Since coming into office, we have taken steps to break down the revenue budget into targets for each revenue officer and each Sub-County,” said Nakuru CECM for Finance Joseph Kiuna.

The CEC said the 16 percent growth achieved in 2017/18 means that Nakuru County will qualify for the additional two percent allocated by the Commission on Revenue Allocation for counties that grow their own source revenue in the next financial year.

Mr. Kiuna also said the County plans to centralize revenue collection from line ministries and that appropriate legislative framework to enable this is nearing completion.

“Plans have commenced to fully automate all revenue streams like parking, building plans, market fees and hospital services,” he said. Liquor licensing will also be streamlined to make it perform better than it has in the past.

The Finance department, he said, will also be enhancing its efforts to collect land rates through the use of its recently acquired geo-spatial plan and valuation roll.