The Meru County government has partnered with former Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi in its bid to enhance local revenue collection as the county races towards Sh2 billion annual collection.
Muriithi, through his private consultancy firm, Ecoapp Capital, has been highly sought after by county governments in their quest to increase own source revenue.
The Ecoapp Capital team has been meeting county officials for a revenue diagnosis across all the departments. Meru County recently crossed the Sh1 billion annual own source revenue mark against its potential of more than Sh3 billion.
The county collected Sh1.15 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year up from Sh961 million in the previous year.
Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma said enhancing Own Source Revenue is the most dependable and sustainable strategy for running counties.
“Ecoapp Capital Consultancy in resource mobilization, own source revenue management, and revenue systems. They are currently supporting our efforts by conducting a comprehensive assessment of our revenue streams,” Governor Mutuma said.
Ecoapp Capital is helping the county identify new streams, revamp the existing revenue systems and enhance service delivery.
In the Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries department, the county is targeting regulatory fees, inspection and compliance charges, livestock movement permits, artificial insemination services, agricultural training programs, as well as housing and farm services.
The Roads, Transport, and Energy department is also diagnosing it’s revenue sources with focus on underutilized cabro paved sections along major highways.
On the other hand, the Trade, Tourism, and Cooperatives department is targeting the establishment of a metrology lab and boda boda Saccos as new avenues of revenue generation.
The department is also considering development and promotion of tourism products by reviving existing attractions and creating unique visitor experiences.
Meru is also banking on it’s strong cooperative presence for comprehensive mapping of businesses for predictable revenue collection.
Meru County finance executive Monica Kathono said they managed to significantly increase own source revenue in the previous year by digitization of hospital payment systems and staff motivation initiatives.
The county has enhanced its staff welfare efforts by allocating more tham Sh40 million for Revenue workers’ medical scheme.
However, Kathono said the county still faces revenue leakage challenges since some of the streams were yet to be automated.
“Meru County has been struggling to achieve the Sh1 billion revenue target over the years. However, various measures put by governor Isaac Mutuma have borne fruit. This includes digitizing payments, timely payment of salaries and imprest, enforcement of cashless systems and ending intimidation of workers,” Kathono said.
She said the county government is aiming at Sh2 billion through automation of land rates and building plan revenue streams.
“The county has a revenue potential of Sh3.7 billion but this has not been achieved in the past due to leakages. Our focus is to ensure there is no cash payment in the county. We are in the process of automating liquor licensing as well,” the finance executive said.
Kathono said the county health facilities have a potential of netting more than Sh1.1 billion annually with efficient service delivery.
She said the county has set aside more than Sh228 million on employment of more health workers as well as promotions in the current financial year.
“We have also allocated funds to equip and automate record keeping in health facilities. This as well as motivated staff is expected to improve health care services,” she said.
Recently, Governor Mutuma unveiled a monitoring team to identify revenue leaks and tax cheats in a bid to reduce wastage.
