Meru Finance Monicah Kathono/HANDOUTMeru government is streamlining revenue collection to seal leakages and increase own source revenue collected to Sh2 billion annually.
The county collected Sh1.15 billion in the 2024-25 financial year, an increase from the Sh961 million collected the previous year.
The finance executive Monica Kathono said the administration realised the raise last year following the digitalisation of hospital payment systems and staff motivation initiatives.
However, she added that the county still faces revenue leakage challenges since some of the streams are yet to be automated.
Recently, Governor Isaac Mutuma unveiled a monitoring team to identify revenue leaks and tax cheats in a bid to reduce wastage.
“Meru County has been struggling to achieve the Sh1 billion revenue target over the years. However, various measures put in place by the administration have finally borne fruit,” Kathono said.
“This includes digitalising payments, timely payment of salaries and imprest, enforcement of cashless systems and ending intimidation of workers by residents.”
She said that the Sh2 billion revenue target would be achieved through automation of land rates payments and building numerous revenue streams.
The executive added that the county’s revenue potential is Sh3.7 billion but that loopholes have in the past made it impossible to collect the funds.
Kathono told journalists on Monday that the county is now focusing on ensuring all payments are done digitally to minimise chances of workers coming into contact with the money.
“We are in the process of automating liquor licensing as well,” Kathono said.
The county adopted a Sh14.6 billion budget for the 2025-26 financial year, out of which health services were allocated Sh1.9 billion. Some of this allocation will go towards equipping and automating record-keeping in health facilities and motivating workers to improve healthcare services.
Approximately Sh228 million has also been set aside for the employment of additional health workers and promotions in the current financial year to enhance the delivery of services.
The budget also allocated Sh1.6 billion to roads, transport and energy while water, irrigation, environment, natural resources and climate change sectors got Sh1.1 billion.
Lands, physical planning and urban development received Sh918 million, with MCAs hailing the good working relationship with the executive as instrumental in accelerating growth.
