Busia Governor Paul Otuoma has committed himself to ensuring that the county raises Sh707 million as its own source of revenue during this financial year.
Speaking during his fourth State of the County Address at the County Assembly on Wednesday, Otuoma pointed out that the county crossed the half-billion mark in its own revenue collection, posting an impressive Sh509 million.
“For the current financial year, we have set an ambitious target of Sh707 million, and with a strong first-quarter performance of Sh235 million, we are firmly on course to achieve and possibly surpass this goal,” he said.
He attributed the achievements to deliberate institutional reforms aimed at unlocking the county’s full revenue potential of approximately Sh2 billion as recommended by independent institutions including the Commission on Revenue Allocation and the Office of the Controller of Budget.
I particularly commend the County Assembly Committee on Finance and Economic Planning for its proactive and constructive engagement with my officers,’ he said.
The Governor further said that his leadership and the Assembly have agreed on far-reaching reforms, including the establishment of an Independent Revenue Department and the Busia County Own Source Revenue Inter-Departmental Coordination Framework to strengthen integrity, professionalism, transparency and efficiency in revenue administration.
“Central to this transformation is the full implementation of a cashless payment system,” he said, adding that the move will help seal revenue leakages and address long-standing system weaknesses.
Otuoma pointed out that the county’s own revenue source has grown progressively from Sh292 million to 392 million to 400 million to 509 million since his administration assumed office.
“I am confident that Busia County will realise its full revenue potential by the close of the next financial year,” he said.
By Salome Alwanda
