Murang’a county government will collaborate with Safaricom Company ltd to fully digitize provision of devolved services.
Through provision of the internet by the telco firm, the county government aims to digitize all services in a period of less than two years.
Already the county government has started to collect levies through digital platforms, a move which the governor Irungu Kang’ata has lauded to have increased revenue.
Kang’ata who hosted Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa in his office on Wednesday said through assistance from Safaricom, the devolved unit started collecting levies through online methods from September last year, a move he termed as successful.
“We started online collection of taxes in five streams and we can confirm the revenue has increased at a high rate.my administration is working by end of this month to digitize collection of levies from all the 22 revenue streams,” he stated.
Kang’ata underscored a move to digitize provision of the services by the county administration saying it will improve efficiency and transparency.
“Payment of services through online will reduce cases of corruption and also seal loopholes where the revenue used to get lost to.
“The method will make accessing of our services easier by reducing time for application and processing of required services as it will not be necessary for one to visit our offices to apply and pay for any service.” He added.
Some of the revenue streams where payment of levies have been made online include car parking, quarries, Mukuyu and Maragua markets, hospitals and veterinary services.
This week, Kang’ata noted that they have started online payment of levies for liquor licensing and single business permits.
The governor observed that increased revenue collection will enable the county administration to offer better services like in the health and agricultural sectors.
“With digital platforms, members of the community we have enrolled with NHIF, can now through their mobile phones select a choice of their outpatient facilities,” he added.
He further said with collaboration with Safaricom Company, they will move to install smart water meters in effort to reduce wastage and increase revenue by the local water firms.
“Within a period of two to three years, all water companies will have installed smart water meters to avoid complaints from customers of being over-charged. The water meters will also reduce wastage and enable water firms to increase collection of revenue.” He added.
Kang’ta also said land registry will be digitized to enable rates to be done digitally and do away with brokers and cartels who have rocked the land sector.
On his part, Ndegwa said his company will continue to partner with national and county governments in digitizing provision of key services.
Ndegwa said they have already started working with the national government in digitizing about 500 services, saying they are also working with some devolved units in providing the internet to digitize provision of services.
“The country is going digital and the future is digital and as Safaricom together with other partners we will continue to support the government at national and county levels to ensure digitization of services is fully attained.” Added Ndegwa.
He further said they are making zero-rated connectivity when one is making payment online so as to cut the expenses to common mwanachi.
By Bernard Munyao
