Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has defended her administration’s decision to spend Ksh4 million on breakfast for county revenue collectors, saying she has no apologies to make. Waiguru justified the expenditure by highlighting the challenging working conditions of the collectors, who begin their duties as early as 4 a.m.
Speaking in response to concerns raised by the Senate County Public Accounts Committee, Waiguru explained that the allocated funds cover the entire year and are meant to support revenue collectors who work outside regular office hours. She emphasized that these workers are tasked with ensuring the county meets its revenue collection targets, often starting their work before dawn when lorries arrive at marketplaces.
“The Sh4 million people are talking about is the total amount for the entire year for our revenue collectors. They have to be at the market at 4 a.m. when lorries are coming in to collect goods, and then you tell me I cannot give them breakfast? I have no apologies to make because I want them to work,” Waiguru stated.
The governor also noted that revenue collectors earn a modest salary of Ksh15,000 per month, yet are expected to help the county generate up to Ksh700 million in revenue. She argued that providing them with breakfast was a necessary allowance to ensure their efficiency and morale.
“I look at them and tell them I would like to increase their salaries, but my hands are tied. Since they work from 4 a.m. and others stay at the markets until 10 p.m., I have to show some consideration. The least we can do is offer them a small allowance,” she explained.
Waiguru further defended her leadership style, stating that while she pushes her staff hard, she also ensures fairness.
“I push people very hard, but I am a fair boss. If you need breakfast because you’re working early or late, I will provide it so that work gets done,” she added.
The Senate committee, chaired by Senator Moses Kajwang, questioned the expenditure, noting that Kirinyaga’s revenue collection system is automated and should not require significant manual labor. The committee has since demanded a full list of revenue collectors who benefited from the breakfast program.
