Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has withdrawn the county Finance Bill 2024 after some traders requested a review of the revenue collection.
Wanga said she heard the concerns from residents who said the law will hurt them.
This follows President William Ruto’s rejection of the Finance Bill 2024 after a mass uproar from Kenyans.
Homa Bay will now as well continue to use the Finance Bill, 2023.
Most county finance bills are guided by the National Government Finance Bill as this determines projection in revenue collection.
The governor said she listened to the voice of the people and decided to withdraw the Finance Bill.
“Homa Bay is not going to proceed with its Finance Bill for this year after that of the national government is withdrawn. We’re still using the 2023 one as we undertake review on the 2024 Finance Bill,” Wanga said.
Speaking after presiding over a revenue round meeting at the county headquarters in Homa Bay town, Wanga added that she received petitions in regard to taxation rates which she would like to consider downwards.
The governor however explained that her administration has made significant improvements in development projects over the past year.
She attributed the success to increased revenue collection.
The county government collected Sh400 million in the 2022-2023 financial year.
Wanga said revenue collection increased to Sh1.2 billion in the last financial year against a target of Sh1.3 billion.
“Homa Bay attributes the rise in revenue collection to the introduction of a digital collection system. We urge residents to continue paying taxes for better services,” she said.
Wanga was in the company of the county executive member for Finance Solomon Obiero.
Wanga's administration introduced a system where money is sent straight to the county treasury account using mobile phones.
The digital method of revenue collection has helped the county government to reduce pilferage.
She explained to residents that increased revenue collection has ensured there is improvement in service delivery, especially in the health sector which she said has seen tremendous progress.
“Besides health, we have undertaken projects in water, roads and education where we support students through bursary programmes,” the governor added.
With Homa Bay County having a budget of Sh11.2 billion, Wanga said the county is on the right track.
