- Governor Jonathan Bill has praised Uasin Gishu residents for diligently paying their taxes during the 2023/24 fiscal year
- He mentioned that their ongoing contributions have allowed the county to exceed its target by more than KSh 200 million
- This occurs during a period when the country is confronting significant financial difficulties, particularly following the rejection of the Finance Bill 2024
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
The Uasin Gishu county government exceeded its 2023/2024 revenue target by over KSh 200 million, collecting KSh 1.4 million by the end of the fiscal year.
The county set a target of KSh 1.2 billion at the beginning of the year but exceeded expectations, reaching KSh 1.4 billion for the first time since the start of devolution.
How did Uasin Gishu County exceed its revenue targets?
While speaking to Uasin Gishu residents Governor Jonathan Bii praised them for diligently paying their taxes, enabling his administration to break the revenue record.
“For the first time ever, we have achieved KSh 1.4 billion in our Own Source Revenue. We owe this remarkable milestone to our hardworking residents who have dutifully paid their taxes,” said the governor.
He promised to manage the collected revenue properly for the benefit of Uasin Gishu’s residents.
“This significant boost will greatly enhance the provision of quality services as outlined in my Nguzo Kumi blueprint,” added Governor.
Agriculture, health, ICT, education, trade, and industrialization are among the key agendas in Governor Bii’s Nguzo Kumi manifesto.
What does exceeding revenue targets mean for Uasin Gishu county?
At a time when the country faces serious financial challenges, especially after the rejection of the Finance Bill 2024, Uasin Gishu could be ahead of the rest in funding its own projects without over-relying on the national government.
After declining to assent to the contentious Finance Bill, President William Ruto announced a series of austerity measures, including reducing county revenue allocations to align with the nation’s financial situation.
Uasin Gishu is among the few counties that have hit or surpassed their revenue targets for 2023/2024.
On Tuesday, Murang’a governor Irungu Kangata announced that his administration had collected over KSh 1 billion in own source revenue. In the previous Financial Year (2022-2023), Murang’a had collected KSh 700 million in revenue.
President Ruto signs the Appropriation Bill 2024
Earlier TUKO.co.ke annouced that President William Ruo had signed the Appropriation Bill 2024 which included a recommendation for deduction of KSh 346 billion from the initial budget.
In a statement on Friday, June 28, the head of state said the law requires him to assent to the Appropriations Bill by June 30 every year.
He explained that this would ensure the continuity and smooth running of government operations while at the same time providing critical services.
Source: TUKO.co.ke