- The Acting CS added that the county government was keen on monitoring its information flow both internally and externally.
- Last week, the ad-hoc committee which is probing the shortfall had its sittings with officers from the executive and Kenya Revenue Authority.
Image: NCCG
Senior county staff in Nairobi are now required to obtain clearance from Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja before any media interactions.
The directive is outlined in a memo dated December 19, 2023, by Acting County Secretary Patrick Analo, where all County Executive Committee (CEC) members, Chief Officers and County Directors are required to seek permission before giving interviews to the media.
"This is to direct all officers invited for media interviews to seek authorization from the Governor before honouring the media interviews,” reads the memo
"We take cognizance of the fact that some officers are usually invited in their professional capacities," it reads further.
The Acting CS added that the county government was keen on monitoring its information flow both internally and externally.
As a result, the county officials have been urged to adhere to the directive and also share the memo with staff working under them.
The memo comes at a time when the Nairobi County Assembly is probing the reasons behind the county's revenue shortfall.
Last week, the ad-hoc committee which is probing the shortfall had its sittings with officers from the executive and Kenya Revenue Authority.
It was revealed that Nairobi County has no control over its revenue collection system which is now under the Kenya Revenue Authority.
In another sitting, the MCAs heard that some officers still collect revenue in cash rather than guiding residents to utilise digital systems.
The team was told that this practice could be a significant factor contributing to the decline in revenue collection as the current administration marks its second year in office.
This was revealed during the public engagement at Charter Hall where various market leaders in Nairobi presented their issues before the committee.
The committee, led by Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok, heard that this habit persists despite the availability of a digital revenue collection system.
During the hearing, it was also revealed that cartels operating within the market are impeding the county's revenue collection efforts.
The committee further learned that the current revenue collection system experiences frequent downtime, compelling some clients to reverse transactions.
Chairpersons from various city markets urged the county to devise a more effective revenue collection strategy and improve basic facilities in the markets, including maintaining clean toilets.
City Market director Joyce Mwangi told the committee that despite serving in the county for many years, she faces challenges accessing the revenue collection system.
“Owing to the challenges we are having with the revenue collection system, we cannot guarantee that we can achieve the daily target of Sh1.5 million,” she said.
The Director said she lacks access to the system, preventing her from holding officers accountable.
"I don’t know what happens within the system,” Mwangi said.