Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo has challenged the management of the newly created Keroka municipality to seal all loopholes through which the municipality was losing millions of shillings in revenue.

Governor Nyaribo noted that money collected as revenue from the municipality jurisdiction cannot be accounted for because it ends up in some individuals’ pockets instead of being remitted to the county government coffers.

He also advised the board of management to ensure that the municipality generates enough revenue from its own resources for self-sustainability and reliance.

“I am also asking the board to go the extra mile by working hard in a bid to improve the facelift of the municipality, which is wanting,” Nyaribo added.

Board of management

He made the remarks in his boardroom during the swearing-in ceremony of the board of management of the newly created Keroka municipality after Nyamira Municipality.

Those who were sworn in by the county Attorney Erastus Orina were   Michieka Barnabas Makario (chairman) and vice chairman Angela Cherono Mulwet, Mr John Mathias Mogere, Ms Janet Kerubo Nyamongo, Shem Nyakundi, Ms Naom Nyaboke Mosomi and Dominic Aroko Babu.

“Ensure that the new municipality is generating enough revenue from its own sources to sustain itself. This can be achieved through sealing loopholes through which collected funds disappear,” he said.

He asked the Board members to arrest and prosecute any revenue officer who may be found embezzling County revenue collected from traders.

“I also ask you to ensure prudent use of donor funds,” the Governor added.

The governor told the board members to closely monitor the service delivery of the new municipality, saying their work was more of a voluntary service to the county government.

“I also encourage you to identify revenue generation streams that can be included in the County Financial bills with a view of increasing our own financial base,” Governor Nyaribo noted.

He said that without sufficient revenue generation, the County Government may face challenges in offering services to the people.

For prosperity, the County CEO said no sector should be exempted from paying taxes. He wondered how bodaboda riders expected to enjoy services from his Government without paying taxes.

Nyamira County had earlier shut two major livestock markets after an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

The County Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries CEC, Alice Manoti, announced the move after 15 incidents had been confirmed in cattle.

The affected markets are the Metamaywa market in Borabu Subcounty and Keroka’s Nyansira market in Masaba North Subcounty.