Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has expressed optimism that the county will surpass its record revenue collection of Sh12.8 billion for the 2024/2025 financial year.
He expressed his confidence in achieving this goal during a pivotal entry audit meeting with county executives and representatives from the Office of the Auditor General.
Sakaja underscored the county's dedication to transparency and compliance in revenue collection, attributing the expected increase to the complete digitisation of the county's revenue streams.
"This year, we are targeting even higher collections. I urge our County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) to go above and beyond in their efforts to meet these goals," Sakaja said.
The governor also highlighted the empowerment of various county departments, including hospitals and the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC), to collect revenue independently.
This strategy, he noted, has significantly boosted the county's financial health, with NWSC alone collecting over Sh10.8 billion in the previous financial year.
"We believe in empowering these institutions to generate more revenue. This autonomy not only aids in decision-making but also ensures that more funds are available for service delivery to our people," Sakaja added.
Governor Sakaja emphasised the importance of transparency, setting clear deliverables and maintaining openness with the Auditor General's office.
He stressed that the meetings are crucial for ensuring that the Nairobi City County Government operates efficiently and manages its finances responsibly.
"I urge everyone to take this meeting seriously. We must be open with our people and deliver on our promises. The auditor general needs to fully understand how we collect and spend public funds," the governor said.
Representatives from the Office of the Auditor General commended Sakaja for initiating this open audit process.
They lauded his commitment to transparency and for setting a precedent in Nairobi County by hosting the entry audit meeting.
"This marks the beginning of a new era of openness in county finances," an officer from the Auditor General's office said.
