This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
On August 5, 2019, Tharaka Nithi County Governor Muthomi Njuki officially opened an automated matatu terminus in Chuka town, marking the beginning of a county-wide initiative to reduce revenue loss.
The automated machines are expected to capture revenue that has been ending up in the pockets of unscrupulous attendants, with Governor Njuki stating that once all matatu termini are automated, the collections will go to the county, resulting in a high increase in revenue collection.
The county intends to automate all revenue collection centers, including forest stations, inter-county revenue collection stations, and health facilities, to provide better services to the people at the grassroots.
Automation of county facilities started with the Chuka Level Five hospital, which has increased efficiency in revenue collections and reduced exhaustion by patients as they queued for services.
Before automation, the hospital collected Sh.12 million a year, but now it's collecting more than Sh.69 million in a year, according to Governor Njuki.
The county government is also in the process of automating services at the Marimanti and Magutuni Sub-county hospitals to deliver better services to the people at the grassroots.