Sakaja dares EACC on ‘revenue loopholes’
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has come out to demystify the revenue collection channels used by his administration, in the wake of a red flag raised by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Speaking at the Nairobi Festival Stakeholders Breakfast, the county boss stressed that the system used is transparent and ‘not from the moon’ as alleged by the anti-graft body.
Sakaja furher rubbished reports that their was a loss in tax payers money, while countering that he had managed to raise the highest revenue in the country over the past five years.
“We are not using any private system for revenue collection. We are dealing with the system created by government. It is under the visibility of the government,” Sakaja said.
The Governor also opened up on his vision to digitize all revenue collection avenues and seal the loopholes that were leading to the loss of public funds.
Further, the governor said that when the EACC raised the alarm a week ago regarding some counties which were allegedly using the revenue stream systems to steal, he called the top officials and invited them to do their investigations.
“If they are aware of any loophole in revenue collection, let them support us. Nairobi has the potential of collecting up to Sh40 billion,” he added.
Sakaja further urged government’s institutions to support devolved units rather than demoralizing them.
“I told them that actually you should be encouraging the counties that are doing things right and not falling into sensationalism, and if there is somebody who has managed to infiltrate it let us know. Instead of giving us stories, arrest them, take them where they are supposed to be. They are supposed to be in jail.”
Through the recently established Nairobi Revenue Authority (NRA), which will function like KRA, the governor expressed optimism of raising more revenue.
EACC had listed Nairobi, Kilifi, Kajiado and Narok counties as the most with revenue loopholes that were being investigated.
Nairobi Festival
On the second edition of Nairobi Festival, which will start on December 12, 2023, the Governor said the the event will be more bigger and better than the first edition.
“We have many more partners that have come on board. We have budget lines, and all the provisions in our law to get the ticket, and we expect a bigger international festival.”
The governor was accompanied by other county officials including County Executive Committee members in charge of Inclusivity, Public Participation and Customer Service, Dr Anastacia Nyalita, Health CEC Ms Susan Silantoi, and Finance and Planning CEC Mr Charles Kerich among others.
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