Homa Bay county government has moved to strengthen revenue collection by incorporating a new team of inspectorate and compliance officials.
The new team includes the County Head of Inspectorate and Compliance Unit as well as subcounty heads for each of the eight administrative units.
The officers were seconded to the revenue department to enhance enforcement and compliance of county laws related to revenue collection.
County Executive Committee Member for Governance Administration Communication and Devolution Grace Osewe said the county government was committed to ensuring that the county meets its revenue target of Sh1.5 billion for this financial year.
She told the new team to ensure they upheld professionalism, discipline, and integrity in revenue collection to boost service delivery for the people of Homa Bay.
The officials were installed Monday in a ceremony held at the Governor's restaurant, graced by CECM for Finance Solomon Obiero, and Chief Officer for Administration and Devolution Isaac Ongiri.
Osewe emphasised Governor Gladys Wanga's passion for enhancing revenue administration and collection, saying the county has entered several funding partnerships.
This included a critical agreement with the World Bank, which requires the county to improve its revenue potential by 15 per cent annually to qualify for continued financial support.
“The Governor is committed to ensuring improved revenue collection, and this team of officers will play a key role in ensuring that our targets are not only met but exceeded,” Osewe said.
Ongiri lauded the newly installed officers and urged them to work harmoniously with the revenue department.
He called on the officers to resist any temptations to breach the rules and ensure all loopholes in the revenue system were sealed.
“Pilferages must be stopped, and loopholes sealed if we are to surpass the Sh1.5 billion target. Integrity and teamwork are crucial as we work towards this goal,” Ongiri said.
Obiero outlined the separation of duties between the collection and enforcement teams, saying officers will undergo training on using revenue collection systems and gadgets.
He stressed the importance of a human face in revenue collection, reminding officers they are dealing with the very people who ensure their employment.
The CECM said the conduct of the officers should reflect the core values of public service, including professionalism, honesty, and integrity.
He said revenue mobilisation remains a major challenge across counties and called on the officers to embody the best practices in their work.
"The installation of this team signifies a bold step towards achieving improved service delivery for the people of Homa Bay, underpinned by better resource mobilisation and administration," Obiero said.
"The County Government remains dedicated to ensuring that every shilling collected translates to better services."
