COUNTY ASSEMBLY AND EXECUTIVE REVIEW FINANCE ACT 2020

Senior Officers from the Kakamega County Executive and Legislative arms of Government Monday begun a two day review excercise of the Kakamega County Finance Act 2020 to assess the successes and challenges of the law as the process of developing the Finance Bill 2021 kicks off.

Finance, Planning and ICT County Executive Member Dr. Beatrice Sabana who graced the meeting on behalf of the Governor H.E Dr. FCPA Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya noted that it is important for the two arms of County leadership to be meeting oftenly in order to address matters arising from existing Acts to ensure improved legislation and implementation of subsequent legal documents.

“As representatives of the people at the grassroots, it is important that we get the feedback from wananchi on the current Finance Act so as to make the relevant adjustments if need be, as we come up with the subsequent document,” Dr. Sabana said.

She noted that existing Corporates within the County have to pay tax and directed the Kakamega County Revenue Agency (KCRA) Chief Revenue Admistrator Madam Beatrice Memo to put more focus on structured revenue streams with aim to relieve the pressure from small scale business people across the County.

The Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriation Committee at the Kakamega County Assembly Hon. David Igunza on his part urged the Revenue Agency to seal any loop hole that may arise during revenue collection.

Hon. Igunza called for continuous refresher training programs of all Revenue Officers to ensure they perform their roles to Government and residents expectations.

Chief Officer for Finance and Economic Planning CPA Amb. James Ochami called for total observance of taxation principles, not limited to efficiency, cost effectiveness, equity, fairness and flexibility at legislation stage of the Finance Bill and during implementation of the Act.

His counterpart at the ICT and e-Government docket Mr. Eugine Milimo said the County Government is putting in place robust mechanisms to enhance revenue collection through the cashless system.

In attendance were Assembly Committee Members of the Budget and Appropriation Committee, Deputy County Secretary Mr. Joshua Kutekha, Chief Officer for Service Delivery and Advisory Unit Dr. Phitalis Masakhwe, Ag. County Attorney Madam Vivian Mmbaka, Chief Revenue Admistrator Madam Beatrice Memo and her deputy Mr. Philip Kutswa, Advisor Strategy and Governance Mr. Musa Chibole and the Head of Budget CPA David Kulova among other County Officers.