Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea
during a public forum at Karuna Meibeki /MATHEWS NDANYI
Members of the Uasin Gishu county assembly have petitioned
Governor Jonathan Bii’s administration to explain a persistent shortfall in
own-source revenue collection, warning that the deficit has slowed down key
development projects.
Sergoit MCA David Keittany said the county has failed to meet
its revenue targets in seven of the last eight financial years, achieving the
goal only in 2020-21.
“County own-source revenues have largely remained unchanged,
averaging between Sh800 million and Sh1 billion,” Keittany said. “This is despite the introduction of new revenue streams, growth of Eldoret City and expansion of
business centres across the county.”
He said in the 2024-25 financial year, the county targeted
Sh1.34 billion but collected Sh1 billion.
The year before, it realised Sh1.3 billion against a target of
Sh1.5 billion. In 2020-21, it collected Sh991 million out of Sh1.1 billion,
while in 2018/19 it achieved Sh918 million against a target of Sh1.2 billion.
The total shortfall over the eight years exceeds Sh2
billion.
Keittany blamed the consistent gaps on stalled projects and slow
economic growth, calling for an urgent probe into possible leakages in revenue
collection.
“Timely intervention will
ensure transparency, accountability and public confidence in the county’s
revenue management,” he said.
In response, Bii said the development is on track, noting that his administration has completed 128 out of 332 ongoing water projects and made progress across various sectors.
“I am on course to deliver my Nguzo Kumi agenda, which covers
all sectors. Our focus is on transforming the economy and uplifting the lives
of our residents,” he said.
The governor cited achievements in agriculture, cooperatives and infrastructure, insisting that county resources were being used to deliver tangible results for the people of Uasin Gishu.
