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By Omondi Rodgers
Busia County, Kenya: Busia County is witnessing a dramatic surge in its own-source revenue collections, driven by a series of reforms designed to tap into an estimated potential of Ksh 2 billion annually.
The progress was detailed by senior county officials following an appearance before the County Assembly’s Committee on Finance and Economic Planning.
Chief Officer for Finance and Economic Planning, Timothy Odende, reported that strategic interventions have successfully addressed long-standing inefficiencies in revenue collection. “We have already surpassed our first-quarter target,” Odende stated. “Against an annual goal of Ksh 707 million, or roughly Ksh 176.8 million per quarter, we have collected Ksh 235 million. We are confident this positive trend will continue into the second quarter.”
Odende credited a consistent upward trajectory since Governor Paul Otuoma’s administration began in 2022. “Revenue stood at Ksh 292 million when the Governor took office. After overhauling the system, collections rose to Ksh 369 million that year, climbed to nearly Ksh 400 million the next, and surpassed the half-billion mark with Ksh 507 million last year,” he explained.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance and Economic Planning, Andrew Nakitare, emphasized the county’s untapped potential. “Studies by the Commission on Revenue Allocation and others indicate a capacity of up to Ksh 2 billion,” Nakitare said. “Key reforms—including transitioning to a cashless system, establishing an independent revenue department, and implementing a coordination framework—have curbed leakages and fostered transparency.”
A significant temporary change has seen county administrators take over collection duties while revenue officers undergo fresh vetting by the County Public Service Board. “Since administrators assumed this role, we have seen a sharp increase in collections,” Nakitare noted, suggesting that previous systems may have been compromised. “Officers found unsuitable will be redeployed.”
Committee Chairperson Alexander Ayieko acknowledged the evident improvements. “The officials have demonstrated clear progress,” Ayieko said. “We have been briefed on forward-looking plans, including a draft bill for border point service fees on trucks and the establishment of a professional Busia County Revenue Board to oversee collections.”
