Kiambu county boosts revenue collection to top Mt Kenya region

Kiambu County, which was rated third nationally, was top among the nine Mt Kenya counties, according to the latest Controller of Budget (CoB) report.

Governor Kimani Wamatangi collected Sh1.64 billion compared to Sh1.1 billion in the same period the previous year.

This is according to Margaret Nyakang'o-led agency in its County Budget Implementation Review Report.

The county collected Sh540 million more than the previous year's, a figure that also saw Nyakang'o rate the devolved government among the most improved counties on OSR collection by 49 per cent.

"The increase in OSR may be attributed to the implementation of an automated revenue management system, which has helped seal loopholes, with a focus on revenue streams like physical planning, land rates, vehicle parking, hospital fees, and single business permits," Nyakang'o report says.

It also indicated that county incurred Sh838.68 million on development, representing a 130.3 per cent increment compared to the previous year.

The highest revenue stream of Sh562.63 million was from the Facility Improvement Fund, which is money collected from hospitals either in cash or National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) rebates.

It was followed by Sh315 million from technical services offered by the county, Sh281 million from property rates, Sh246 million from "other sources" while vehicle parking raised Sh155 million.

Under Governor Kahiga Mutahi, the Nyeri County Government emerged in position two among Mt Kenya counties.

It had a collection of Sh569 million, including Sh203 million from its sources of revenue and Sh366.97 million from the Facility Improvement Fund.

The devolved unit collected approximately Sh36 million from bus parks, Sh22 million from markets and stalls, Sh19 million as cess, Sh18 million from street parking, and Sh109 million from "other sources".

Laikipia County, under Governor Joshua Irungu, emerged position three with a collection of Sh425 million, a 28 per cent increase compared to the previous year when Sh331.93 million was realised.

Under Governor Kawira Mwangaza's stewardship, Meru generated Sh374.63 million from its sources of revenue.

The monies included Sh263 million from Facility Improvement Fund.

Murang'a County, under Governor Irungu Kang'ata collected Sh295.12 million. This represented an increase of 40.6 per cent compared to Sh175.41 million realised in the previous year's first half.

In Nyandarua County, Governor Kiarie Badilisha collected Sh222.93 million, which represented an increase of 36.3 per cent to Sh163.54 million realised in a similar period in the previous financial year.

Kirinyaga County, under the Council of Governors chair Ann Waiguru, generated Sh192.71 million inclusive of Facility Improvement Fund.

Governor Muthomi Njuki, serving as the Tharaka Nithi County chief for a second term, raised Sh156 million, which CoB rated as an improvement of 98 per cent from the previous year when only Sh58 million was collected.

The county collected Sh70 million from medical services, Sh23 million from single business permits, Sh20 million as cess, Sh11 million in market fees and slaughterhouse charges, Sh25 million from "other charges," and Sh6.5 million as "miscellaneous."

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire generated Sh146.28 million from its revenue sources, against a target of Sh382.8 million.