Murang'a: Murang'a county governor Irungu Kang'ata has lauded the automation of revenue collection systems for enhanced service delivery. With automation, Kang'ata noted the county has been able to increase its revenue, thus helping in boosting provision of services especially in the key sectors.
According to Kenya News Agency, the governor spoke during the second annual status of the county address at the county assembly, highlighting that local residents have embraced the automation of revenue collection. Kang'ata praised the residents for their patriotism and confidence in the current administration, which has been demonstrated by the performance of local revenue collection. He noted an upward trajectory in local revenue collection since the onset of the current administration, citing an increase from approximately Sh520 million in the financial year 2021/22 to Sh1.116 billion in 2023/24 after automation.
Kang'ata further mentioned that in the current financial year, the county has collected Sh591 million up to March 16, 2025, marking a 13 percent increase compared to the same period last financial year. The county has automated revenue collection in various sectors, including parking payments, markets cess, quarry, building permits and lands, medical facilities, and liquor levies.
Additionally, Kang'ata pointed out that the county has automated its human resource management, including leave and promotions, and is piloting a clock-in system with chief officers. The county also operates a mobile fleet management system to reduce fuel costs and is implementing Geo-spatial technology on a pilot basis.
The governor noted the introduction of telemedicine services to reduce the distances patients travel for medical services. He highlighted the popularity of the program, which saves patients time and money, and emphasized the county's request for co-contribution from patients to sustain the program. The county has placed machines in strategic facilities, including hematology, biochemistry, X-ray, and ultrasound machines, to provide state-of-the-art services in rural areas.
Kang'ata urged the national government to assist his administration in surveying, beacons, and titling land formerly owned by Del Monte that was shelved for the county government. The county assembly passed a master plan to establish an industrial city and plans a mega investors' conference in May 2025. However, Kang'ata stressed the need for support from the national lands commission for the land to be ready for investors.
The governor also called for the streamlining of the Social Health Authority (SHA) to enhance health sector service delivery. He noted the dependency of the KangataCare programme and county hospitals on SHA reimbursements and the challenges faced due to unpaid debts from the defunct NHIF.
Kang'ata expressed concerns over a circular from the Controller of Budget stopping counties from issuing bursaries. He highlighted the county assembly's legal mandate to support bursaries as a welfare program, benefiting thousands of children. Kang'ata warned that without a solution, several bursary programs might cease, affecting around 45,600 beneficiaries. He stated his administration's intention to join a legal case in Nakuru and send a delegation to meet the Cabinet Secretary for Education to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement.