Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga has announced a 15-day tax-free holiday to traders in the county starting Wednesday, September 14 to pave way for a forensic audit.
According to the governor, the move is meant to smoke out individuals that interfere with the revenue collection process in the county.
“In the months of July and August 2022, the County Government experienced a disturbing pattern pointing at possible breaches. While a good number of officers tasked with the responsibility of collecting revenue have remained faithful and diligent, some few unscrupulous ones seem to have perfected the art of deceit and unfaithfulness,” she disclosed.
Wanga noted that the revenue collection suspension relates to the markets, market user charges, offloading charges, transportation of quarry material, and fees for impounded articles.
The suspected breaches in the collection process have necessitated the 15-day exercise.
During this period, all revenue collection officers will report to the finance and economic planning department for additional guidance.
In addition, the officers will propose viable solutions to curb the tax menace in the county.
"After my inauguration, I sought an update from relevant offices on the financial health of the county. We have seen a fluctuation that points to a breach in the system of revenue collection. There is no point in people paying money that does not reach the county," she noted.
The county boss has therefore set up a 13-member multi-agency team to investigate and conduct the forensic audit of the County Revenue Collection and Management System.
Through the information collected a new system will be put in place to bar such incidences from reoccurring. The culprits will also be subjected to the law.
Notably, she is one of the newly elected governors who hit the ground running after their inauguration in a bid to establish working systems.
Kisii county governor Simba Arati kicked out at least 861 ghost workers in the county government.
Irungu Kang'ata the Murang's county governor called for an audit on the Ksh2B pending bills in the county from the former Mwangi was Iria's administration.
Also after an audit was conducted, Machakos governor Wavinya Ndeti warned workers against using county government vehicles for their personal use.
