Uasin Gishu County Hosts Training to Boost Revenue Collection
Uasin Gishu County recently hosted a pivotal training session aimed at enhancing own-source revenue (OSR) administration under Kenya’s Devolution Programme (KDP). The event, held on Tuesday, brought together finance officers, revenue administrators, and policy implementers from various departments to explore modern strategies for improving revenue collection, compliance, and accountability.
The training, a crucial part of Kenya’s devolution agenda, was designed to help counties achieve greater financial autonomy by empowering local governments to generate and manage their own revenues more effectively. The KDP initiative, which aligns with the national government’s focus on decentralization, seeks to reduce dependence on national allocations and foster sustainable local development.
Key aspects of the training included the introduction of digital revenue collection systems, such as SISIBO PAY, aimed at increasing efficiency and minimizing revenue leakages. Participants were also educated on compliance auditing and the importance of public awareness in promoting tax compliance.
Ms. Meimuna Mohammed, the KDP Own Source Revenue Advisor, emphasized the importance of strengthening revenue systems at the county level. “Counties cannot depend solely on national government allocations. Strengthening our own-source revenue capacity is the way forward for achieving sustainable development and service delivery,” she said.
The training was organized in collaboration with development partners, including the World Bank and the Council of Governors, and is part of ongoing efforts to build capacity within county governments for sound fiscal management. CPA Jonnah Lamai, the Director of Revenue in Uasin Gishu, praised the program’s practical approach and the opportunity it provided for inter-county collaboration. “This training has given us actionable insights into how we can optimize revenue collection and streamline processes,” Lamai noted.
The Devolution Programme has made significant strides in empowering counties to address local needs effectively. By strengthening revenue administration, counties can fund development projects in sectors like infrastructure, education, and healthcare, reducing their reliance on national government disbursements.
As Kenya continues to strengthen its devolution framework, initiatives like the OSR training in Uasin Gishu County highlight the crucial role of capacity building in ensuring fiscal sustainability and long-term economic growth at the county level. This training marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards a more decentralized and financially self-reliant governance system, paving the way for a brighter future for county governments and their citizens.
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