Machakos County Finance Executive Member, Onesmus Kuyu, has refuted claims that Matatu Sacco members have been collecting revenue for onward transmission to the County treasury in violation of regulations. The claims were made by Mua Ward MCA, Mr. Francis Ngunga, while contributing to a motion on the floor of the County Assembly on Tuesday.
Mr. Kuyu, who was accompanied by Chief Officer Lawrence Maingi (Public Service), Ian Obare (ICT), Julius Kasanga (Finance), and Director Tobias Otieno (Revenue), among other officers, stated that no such arrangements exist with the Saccos. He added that any collections made by the Saccos could have been intended for members’ welfare, not for County revenue.
Appearing before the General Oversight Committee of the County Assembly to shed light on the County’s revenue performance, Mr. Kuyu highlighted that revenue from the Matatu sector had significantly improved since the County Government implemented measures to streamline revenue collection. “The County was collecting only Sh3 million per month from the Matatu sector. Now, we are collecting Sh11 million per month,” said Mr. Kuyu.
Mr. Kuyu further explained that while the County’s revenue performance had not yet met its target, it had been on an upward trajectory. The highest revenue collection since devolution was recorded in the 2023/2024 Financial Year, thanks to the automation of revenue collection systems.
The Finance CECM also mentioned that the annual revenue potential for Machakos County is estimated at Sh6.8 billion, according to a recent scientific revenue mapping survey. He noted that the automation of revenue collection had minimized human interaction, though there was significant resistance from some County government officers and their collaborators, who benefited from the previous status quo.
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In addition to answering questions about other departments and general governance, Mr. Kuyu addressed concerns raised by the County Assembly. Mwala Ward MCA, Brian Kisila, suggested that the County could meet its revenue targets if measures were taken to address leakages in quarries, building approvals, and land rates.
Speaker Anne Kiusya, who chaired the session, praised the CECM for delivering a comprehensive report to the Assembly.
By Stephen Muthini.
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