This archive report was first published on 21 November 2019.
On November 21, 2019, Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti took drastic measures to address the massive loss of revenue in the county by firing over 400 revenue commission agents.
The revenue commission agents were responsible for collecting revenue from taxpayers in markets and bus stops, earning a commission on the amount collected. However, Governor Awiti discovered that some agents were pocketing the money instead of submitting it to the county bank accounts.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of four chief officers, Governor Awiti stated, “There are people who collect revenue and keep the money in their pockets instead of submitting them to county bank accounts. I am disbanding the services of the revenue commission agents.”
This move has led to a decline in revenue collection in some towns compared to the era of defunct local authorities.
As a temporary measure, Governor Awiti directed each of his ten executive members to identify 20 people from their departments to act as revenue collectors. He also banned the practice of keeping revenue in departmental accounts, requiring all revenue to be deposited in one account to enhance accountability.
“I am directing that any cent collected from taxpayers must be deposited in one revenue account to avoid pilferage of public funds. I don’t want to hear any department keeping revenue elsewhere,” said Governor Awiti.
