Bungoma County Governor Kenneth Lusaka has issued a stern warning to revenue officers, cautioning them against engaging in corrupt practices. This comes in the wake of the county’s remarkable achievement of increasing its revenue collection by an impressive 204.43 per cent over two years.
Lusaka praised the officers for their efforts, which have seen Bungoma’s own source revenue grow from Sh368.03 million to Sh1.12 billion since he took over from his predecessor, Wycliffe Wangamati, in 2022. The sharp increase in collections reflects the significant reforms the governor has implemented to combat corruption and improve financial accountability within the county.
“When I was re-elected, I found that corruption and theft were rampant, and as a result, the county’s revenue collection was dismal,” Lusaka noted. “However, I want to thank the revenue officers for their diligent work, which has contributed to this remarkable growth in our collection.”
A Stern Warning Against Corruption
While acknowledging the positive strides made in Bungoma’s revenue collection, Lusaka took the opportunity to issue a stern warning to revenue officers still engaged in corrupt practices. He emphasized that the county would take swift action against anyone found misappropriating public funds or engaging in illegal activities.
“I want to warn those who still engage in corruption that their days are numbered. They should stop immediately because we are going to nab them very soon,” Lusaka stated, reinforcing his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
He highlighted the efforts his administration has undertaken to ensure transparency in revenue collection, noting that the county government had implemented a series of reforms aimed at sealing revenue leakages and improving efficiency in financial management.
“Bungoma has put in place measures to ensure that what is due to the county is collected. I am confident that we have the potential to grow the revenue even further, and we can collect more than what we have achieved so far,” Lusaka said.
Growth in Revenue Collection Across Counties
Bungoma’s impressive growth is part of a larger trend seen across various counties in Kenya. In the past two years, 14 governors have successfully turned around their counties’ own source revenue collection. These county bosses have significantly increased revenue collections by more than 100 per cent, reflecting a broader national effort to improve county-level financial sustainability and accountability.
According to the latest data, the overall own source revenue collection by all counties improved from Sh35.90 billion in the 2021-22 financial year to Sh58.94 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal period, representing a 72 per cent achievement of their annual revenue targets. This is a notable increase from the 59.4 per cent collected in 2021-22.
Among the counties that have recorded the most substantial growth is Homa Bay, where Governor Gladys Wanga has spearheaded efforts to increase revenue collection by an astonishing 716.03 per cent. Other counties that have achieved remarkable revenue growth include Garissa (under Governor Nadhif Jama), Narok (Governor Patrick Ntutu), Wajir (Governor Ahmed Abdullahi), Kisii (Governor Simba Arati), and Isiolo (Governor Abdi Guyo).
Challenges in Meeting Revenue Targets
Despite these successes, many counties continue to face challenges in meeting their revenue targets. Since the onset of devolution in Kenya, most counties have consistently struggled to meet their own source revenue goals. The reasons for this vary, ranging from systemic corruption to inefficient revenue collection systems and a lack of accountability.
Governor Lusaka’s actions in Bungoma reflect a growing recognition among county leaders of the need to address these challenges and ensure that public funds are managed effectively. By clamping down on corruption and introducing reforms, counties can maximize their revenue potential and reduce their dependency on allocations from the national government.
The increase in revenue collections across counties is also indicative of the growing importance of financial autonomy for counties. As counties become more responsible for generating their own revenues, there is increased pressure on governors and their administrations to implement measures that ensure accountability and efficiency.
The Road Ahead for Bungoma and Other Counties
Lusaka’s focus on improving revenue collection is in line with the broader vision of empowering counties to become financially sustainable entities. By tackling corruption and strengthening revenue systems, counties like Bungoma can not only improve service delivery but also enhance their capacity to invest in development projects that benefit local residents.
While Lusaka acknowledged the progress made, he emphasized that there is still more to be done. “I am sure we have an opportunity to grow the revenue even further,” he said, indicating his administration’s commitment to continue building on the gains achieved so far.
As counties like Bungoma strive to increase their revenue collections, it is clear that the battle against corruption will remain central to these efforts. With the right reforms and a commitment to transparency, county governments can ensure that they meet their financial targets and drive sustainable development in their regions.
Ultimately, Governor Lusaka’s warning to corrupt revenue officers serves as a reminder that accountability and integrity must be at the heart of any effort to improve public financial management. As counties continue to build on these gains, the lessons learned in Bungoma could serve as a model for other regions looking to enhance their revenue collection and improve governance.
