Kwale: The Kwale County Government has taken a significant step towards modernizing revenue collection by introducing a digital revenue management system (RMS).
According to Kenya News Agency, this initiative aims to simplify the payment of business licenses, land rates, and other county charges by making the process cashless, thus enhancing efficiency and convenience for residents. Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani highlighted that the digitalization of revenue collection will ease the burden for business owners and boost the county economy through business charges. Previously, businesspeople and landowners faced challenges such as long travel distances to the county headquarters for fee payment, lost business hours, and system failures. The new system alleviates these issues by collecting payments for business licenses, market stall rents, parking fees, and more through a dedicated pay bill number.
Governor Achani emphasized that automating revenue collection aims to improve efficiency, reduce fraud, and increase accountability. In the past, Kwale County partnered with Safaricom to implement cashless payments for its 800,000 citizens, allowing payments for services such as market fees and parking levies via M-PESA. Kwale County Revenue Clerk Fauzia Mwaiwe noted that the RMS enables business owners to check pending fees through the system portal, eliminating the need for travel to county offices.
To further streamline the process, Kwale County has devolved revenue management to subcounty levels, including Matuga, Kinango, Samburu, and Lungalunga. Robert Nguma, Kwale County Information and Technology officer, explained the system's functionality, where clients can access services by searching 'Kwale pay' online and using the Kwale E-pay portal. Local businessman Bakari Menza shared past difficulties in accessing business services due to overcrowded offices, expressing relief at the new system. Similarly, landowner Zuhura Mohammed and trader Bint Rashid praised the county government for the digital advancement, noting improved business operations and receipt issuance.
The introduction of the digital revenue management system marks a new era in Kwale's business environment, enhancing transparency, convenience, and economic growth across the county.