COG LAUNCHES OWN SOURCE REVENUE POTENTIAL AND TAX GAP STUDY REPORT

Kakamega Governor who is also Chairperson Finance, Planning and Economic Affairs Committee at the Council of Governors (COG)

H.E. FCPA Fernandes Barasa Wednesday represented the Council at the launch of a Comprehensive Own Source Revenue Potential and Tax Gap Study Report that is aimed at providing an estimate of the maximum revenues each of the 47 County Governments can raise from their own sources.

Addressing the launch held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Governor Fernandes said in addition to the findings and recommendations of the Own Source Potential and Tax Gap Study report the Council of Governors is advancing reforms in the following key areas:

Supporting own-source revenue administration legislation.

Advocating for Automation of revenue collection and management to help stem leakages.

Capacity building of County Officers on revenue enhancement and management.

Empowerment of revenue officers and, or revenue boards in the Counties.

Supporting the development of Revenue enhancement action plans.

Capacity building and training on realistic revenue targeting and forecasting.

Consideration of alternative source of revenue including:

The uptake of PPP projects and;

Enhancement of land-based property taxes through updated valuation rolls.

Governor Barasa informed the meeting that Kakamega County for instance has put in place mechanisms to raise own source revenue including enhancement of tax payments among other charges via cashless system.