GOVERNOR FORMS TASK FORCE TO STREAMLINE REVENUE MANAGEMENT
Her Excellency Governor Gladys Wanga suspended revenue collection and ordered a forensic audit of the revenue department to establish loopholes exploited by rogue officers to siphon public funds.
The move comes after it was established that millions of shillings collected by revenue officers were lost through suspicious activities among them, preventing the county from reaching its financial goals.
“The initial report I received on the county’s current status of revenue collection is extremely disturbing hence my decision to take the extra-ordinary steps to streamline the system,” the governor told journalists on Monday.
She added: “We have seen a fluctuation that points to a breach in the system of revenue collection. There is no point in people paying money that does not reach the county.”
“Streamlining our revenue mapping, management and collection is one of the First 100 Days in Office tasks that I promised to execute,” Ms Wanga said.
She ordered a 15-day tax waiver for traders as her administration tries to identify gaps that lead to revenue losses.
Over the period, revenue collection officers stationed at markets and other points will report to the department of finance and economic planning for further directions.
The suspension starts on Wednesday as a 13-member multi-agency task force works on ways of generating more funds.
The county government had projected to collect Sh300 million this year when it can raise Sh1 billion, she said.
In the meantime, the task force she established is made up of financial experts, including former Kenya Revenue Authority officers, ICT experts and a former National Intelligence Service officer.
They will investigate and undertake a forensic audit of the county revenue collection and management system within 21 days, map revenue sources and seal loopholes leading to loss of funds.
“The multi-agency task force will submit its initial report to my office in accordance with its terms of reference,” the governor said.
“I will remain true to my campaign promises and will continue to lead a clean and open government, committed to the rule of law and timely provision of much needed services to citizens to ensure they all benefit from the hard-earned fruits of devolution.”