Payment of levies in Murang’a County has been fully digitized effective 1st January this year, after a successful piloting in Murang’a town since September last year, which saw increased revenue collection.
In his New Year address, the County Governor Irungu Kang’ata exuded confidence that the adopted online system of revenue collection will seal all loopholes, where the much need revenue got lost, when the exercise was done manually.
“Starting from January this year, payment of county government services will be made through an online platform,” noted the governor, adding that the move will curb misappropriation of county resources.
Consequently, payment of services at the Murang’a County Government was now being done through mobile money transfers to enhance accountability and transparency.
According to Kang’ata, digitization of revenue collection has so far reflected a significant rise in the overall returns, as opposed to the manual system, which was openly abused by public servants.
He cited the Murang’a Level Five Hospital where payments collected online has risen to Sh150, 000 per day up from Sh70, 000 that used to be collected manually.
He said 30 per cent of the revenue collected at health facilities will be retained at the source to support the day to day operations of the respective medical centres.
At the same time, parking fees being charged at designated areas around town currently stands at Sh50, 000 per day, unlike the previous Sh37, 000.
He further added that the county was now collecting Sh50, 000 daily at the Murang’a town markets up from Sh25, 000, while in quarries, the revenue collection has since increased to Sh50,000 daily up from the initial Sh22,000.
Meanwhile, the county administration will partner with road construction agencies in tarmacking of roads within local towns, with a view to establishing smart cities.
“The programme will start in Murang’a town, where several roads will be tarmacked to improve on the existing infrastructure,” added Kang’ata.
By Anita Omwenga and Bernard Munyao
