The Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) now says devolution has helped spur development across the country.
CRA further said due to an enhanced approach towards its own-source revenue collection, a majority of the devolved units have steadily increased revenue collection ranging between Ksh300m to Ksh2 billion.
Speaking in Eldoret after evaluating the progress of various departments in Uasin Gishu County, CRA Commissioner Hadija Juma also hailed various counties for embracing modern technology in revenue collection.
The move, the commissioner said has helped in minimizing cases of wastage of resources and corruption.
“I must hail the majority of our counties for doing everything possible to boost their own-source revenue collection. I am pleased to commend counties for the effort in increasing their own-sources of revenue collection from a low of Ksh300 million to a high of Ksh2 billion,” Juma said.
She challenged counties to continue embracing various viable mechanisms of enhancing revenue collection to spur economic growth in their counties.
According to CRA commissioner, counties adopt a vibrant method of revenue collections, vibrant development will be experienced nationally.
“As a commission we wish to encourage countries to adopt measures to enhance their own-source revenue collection and also learn from the best practices from other counties that are witnessing great success in enhancing their own source revenue Collection,” said Commissioner Juma.
Since the inception of devolved units in 2013,t CRA has been assisting counties to enhance their own-sources of revenue collection.
Further, the commission is working together with all counties to address myriad of challenges in order to reach their own-source revenue potential as well as minimise cases of delayed exchequer releases and pending bills.
“We are always available to provide any technical assistance to the counties on public finance management matters as and when required,” Juma said.
Potential to collect more
However, the CRA commissioner said there are still more potential areas for funds for counties which are yet to be exploited to the maximum.
She cited Nairobi as one of the counties with huge potential of collecting up to Ksh67 billion annually and Uasin Gishu which she said has a potential of collecting up to Ksh2.8billion.
Uasin Gishu has set Ksh1.2 billion as its own-source revenue target this financial year.
President William Ruto recently assented to the Division of Revenue Bill that allocated Ksh385 billion to devolved units.
The funds will be shared equitably among the 47 counties.
Meanwhile, CRA has embarked on a number of tasks key among them being the preparation of the Fourth Basis for revenue sharing among county governments.
