BY SHADRACK NYAKOE
Members of the Nairobi County Assembly have raised the alarm over lack of auditing and accountability of the revenue collection systems.
The reps led by Majority leader Peter Imwatok said the revenue systems are being used to embezzle public funds.
They said this year, official records show that revenue has declined.
Through an Adhoc Committee established to determine why revenue has been on the decline, the reps said they want to know the weaknesses and strengths of the systems, how the system is organized, the people collecting revenue and the skills they have to manage the system.
The Committee plans to summon the County Executive Committee Members (CECM’S) for Finance and ICT, County Officials and Service providers like Web Tribe (Jambo Pay), National Bank (Noveta), and KRA (Nairobi Pay) as well as many other witnesses.
“We are alarmed to discover that the revenue systems have never been audited since their automation in 2013, making it impossible to accurately determine the actual revenue collected. Moreover, the ownership and administration details on Nairobi Pay remain elusive, raising serious concerns,”Imwatok said.
The reps said there is no documented agreement between the Nairobi City County Government and the said Nairobi Pay.
It is purported that officials from the National Government who are neither known nor seen own some of the revenue systems.
“We would like to assure the citizens of Nairobi that the committee is steadfast and committed to uncovering the truth behind the issues bewildering the collection of revenue in Nairobi. We also would like to call upon Nairobians and Kenyans at large to embrace their patriotism and volunteer any information that they may have regarding this matter,” Imwatok added.
He urged all the witnesses to cooperate and respond to the committee’s invitations.
The MCAs called for a Public forum at Charter Hall on 13th and 14th of December 2023 to take public views.