Businessmen in Kakamega County will have a sigh of relief as the county intends to deliberate on the contentious issues in the 2021/2022 financial bill which the executive proposed before implementation so as to have a unified and a not so tough way of collecting revenue in the county.
Oparanya said this during the trade conference organized by the Kenya national chamber of commerce, KNCCI, kakamega chapter where he said that businessmen in kakamega county will be given first priority when the public and business land that is currently being repossessed will be available for lease. He challenged them to support the county government in achieving its mandate and in support of the National Government’s Big 4 Agenda.
Oparanya said in efforts to enhance area development, the county government has increased its revenue collection from Sh300 million since inception of the devolved unit to Sh1.4 billion and now targets to raise Sh2.1 billion in the current financial year. It is a meeting that brought together stakeholders in all commercial sectors in Kakamega County
Oparanya on Friday also said the county has commenced the process of repossessing all undeveloped plots in the town before being re-allocated to private developers. The governor said the first phase of the exercise has been completed and repossessed plots will soon be given out to investors to develop them.
He said Sichirai market, which is under construction in Lurambi Sub County, will accommodate traders whose kiosks were demolished in the town. The county will also construct 3,000 houses at a cost Sh6 billion to meet the expected rise in demand for houses once the town is elevated to a city. Construction will be done through a private-public partnership.
Oparanya added that the county was making progressive improvements in revenue collection. He said they were collecting Sh300 million when he took over, but they have improved to Sh1 billion. He said his administration is targeting to collect Sh2.1 billion at the end of the current financial year.
By Wycliffe Andabwa