The county government of Laikipia has registered remarkable growth in local revenue collection from Shs 211.1 million to Shs 285.7 million over the last six months.
The growth that has seen the county increase its revenue collection by 35 per cent, has been catalyzed by automation of revenue collection system.
According to Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, the funds will be used in funding various development projects the county had launched.
“In the first six months of this financial 2018/19 our source revenue has grown by an impressive 35 per cent. A total of Shs 285.7 was collected between July and December 31st 2018 compared to Shs 211. 1 million realized over the same period the previous year,” said the governor.
Speaking in his office on Thursday during a press briefing, the county boss said that investing in technology to streamline revenue collection coupled with reforming the county public service had enabled the County Revenue Board collect Shs. 74.6 million more compared to the same period last year.
He said that among the revenue streams that had shown tremendous improvement included Land rates which have improved from Shs. 6.4 million to Shs. 21.3 million, County natural resources from Shs. 17.3 million to Shs. 35.2, parking fees from Shs. 23.7 million to Shs. 33.8 million and hospital cost sharing collections from Shs. 109 million to Shs 115.2 million.
“We owe this project to diligent citizens of this county who have dutifully paid their taxes that have financed these projects. Its worthy to note that despite registering this steady growth in revenue, we have not burdened our citizens by increasing or introducing additional tax,” he said.
He said the County government was targeting to collect Shs. 800 million in revenue this financial year.
“The money supplements the funds from the national government and will help us finance various development projects in the County among them smart towns initiative, water as well as construction and equipping of our health facilities,” he said.
He said that among measures and strategies that the county had employed to expand its revenue base and improve collections to finance its budget include mapping of the revenue sources and automation of revenue processes.
“Other mechanisms that have been put in place are implementation of results based management and monitoring and evaluation,” he said adding that the county has also invested in training and recruitment of competitive staff and retention of good talents in revenue collection.
Governor Muriithi noted that the county was scouting for good technology and liaising with like-minded people and organizations to get the most efficient and affordable ICT platforms to improve revenue collection.
The governor said the county’s 1,862-strong work force is big enough to transform the county.
By Jesse Mwitwa and Charles Njoroge.
