MORE REVENUE COLLECTIONS BY WARDS WILL ATTRACT COMMENSURATE BENEFITS FROM THE COUNTY ‘EXCHEQUER’ – OPARANYA

County wards which contribute higher revenues by way of payment of rates and other fees will attract commensurate perks from the County government, Kakamega governor H.E. FCPA Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya has said.

“The wards which pay more will get more from government including employment opportunities, social amenities and cleanliness in public places,” the County boss told members of the County Assembly and executives during a workshop he officially opened today to deliberate on revenue collection as well as budgeting, project planning and implementation.

The governor emphasized however that it was incumbent upon government to offer quality services to motivate members of the public and the business community to pay licence fees and other charges.

“We cannot expect to get optimal revenue from filthy markets that have no toilets and regular garbage collection,” he said.

Oparanya told the well attended forum that County revenue collections have experienced exponential growth in the past one month following the recent shake-up of the County revenue unit that saw all its personnel sent on 60 days compulsory leave. Its functions are now being performed by Community Area Administrators and the newly recruited revenue clerks under the supervision of CEC members, chief officers and Sub County Administrators.

In some cases revenues from markets, hospitals, single business permits, parking and stock rings has gone up on average by 100% to 200%.

Bouyed by the phenomenal revenue increase, the governor announced elaborate plans to put up properly equipped modern toilets with running water in key markets throughout the County as well as measures to take environmental cleaning services to a new level.
“We are ready to recruit additional 1,000 staff to boost capacity in maintenance of public facilities,” he added.

One of the on-going projects in this direction is the construction of Shs100 million ultra-modern Kakamega funeral parlour.
“The facility will be fully computerised to improve service delivery and scuttle corrupt practices,” he said.

Also present were County Assembly speaker, Hon. Morris Buluma, majority leader Hon. Joel Ongoro, minorty leader Hon. David Ndakwa, CECMs, chief officers, Hon MCAs, the County Secretary and Head of Public Service, madam Jacinta Aluouch Odhiambo, deputy CS Mr. Joshua Kutekha, Chief of Staff, Robert Sumbi, County Attorney Mr. Moses Sande, Advisors, Sub County Administrators, procurement officers , planners and cashless revenue collection system service providers.