Taita Taveta, KENYA: Low revenue allocation by treasury is causing a deficit in operations in Taita Taveta County.
Taita Taveta County leaders led by County Assembly Clerk Gardiel Maghanga have expressed concerns saying they have been facing a series of petitions over poor public participation on bills approved in the Assembly due to lack of funds to conduct thorough public participation as required by law.
Gardiel requested Commission of Revenue Allocation to look into Taita Taveta allocation saying its among marginalized Counties. He said despite receiving equitable share they are facing serious shortage of funds for development.
The county’s legal officer Edwin Ayiro said both executive and assembly are working on a revenue administrative bill which will facilitate source revenue collection especially in all tourism sites, Tsavo National Park included.
Also read: CRA to push KWS to share Tsavo revenue with Taita Taveta county
The County Executive Member for Finance Vincent Masawi complained of lack of transparency by treasury, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other relevant departments on how much revenue they collect from minerals, gemstones and Tsavo National Park.
CEC Public works, Haughton Mombo, lamented receiving poor funding which has made it difficult to construct quality standard roads resulting to roads being washed away by heavy rains.
Fundi Maskuji and Anselm Mwadime, MCAs Mboghoni and Mwanda respectively, expressed their concerns over levels of marginalization the County has faced for many years leaving leaders in public shame. The MCAs said poor developments will result to politicians loosing their political seats.
Other leaders echoed sentiments by different speakers saying development has been poorly done especially on road networks and health infrastructure due to poor funding.
The County government had set revenue projection target of sh.300m, so far it has managed to collect over sh.210m which is more than 50%.
