Kitui going cashless to hit Sh1 billion target, says CEC

Kitui CEC for lands, housing and urban development Fredrick Kimanga /Musembi Nzengu

Kitui CEC for finance and economic planning Peter Kilonzo

The government of Kitui has set its sights on hitting a Sh1 billion own-source revenue target in the 2025/26 financial year.

Finance executive Peter Kilonzo said his department was pulling out all the stops to achieve the projection for the current fiscal year.

Speaking before the County Assembly Committee on Finance and Economic Planning on Friday, Kilonzo said his department had committed to fully automating revenue points to optimise collection.

He disclosed that 72 revenue streams have already been automated and integrated.

The CEC, who was accompanied by Chief Officer for Revenue Management and Accounting John Makau, also addressed questions on last year’s revenue shortfall. The county collected Sh895 million against a projection of Sh988 million.

Kilonzo called for the support of MCAs in attaining collection targets, urging them to sensitise the public on the importance of paying taxes, noting that resistance from some residents had been observed.

“We need goodwill from all stakeholders for the county to realize its revenue targets,” he said.

MCA Muange and other members lauded Kilonzo’s department for its efforts to improve revenue collection, noting that annual revenue had risen from as low as Sh360 million to about Sh800 million.

The ward representatives, however, stressed the need for a stronger public financial management system to curb revenue leaks and address malpractice in collection.

“The complete automation of revenue collection will greatly strengthen financial governance, enhance control over public funds, and prevent losses,” Muange said.

In a separate effort to boost collections, CEC for Lands and Housing Fredrick Kimanga launched parking revenue collection booths within Kitui town.

Kimanga, who was accompanied by Kitui Municipality Manager Irene Muema, also announced that revenue collection within the municipality will soon be fully digitalised.

He explained that the booths will serve as complementary pay points, particularly during internet disruptions when motorists are unable to pay digitally.