Mombasa County Secretary Francis Thoya has said revenue collection in the county has increased within two months of implementing an automated collection system.
Thoya said since the introduction of the electronic business permit issuance system in December last year, about Sh373 million has been collected exceeding revenues collected during the same period last year by Sh6.4 million.
The system has allowed traders to apply and pay for a business permit through an electronic system that has helped in reducing corruption among corrupt county officials by minimizing direct contact between taxpayers and county officials.
“The introduction of the electronic processes in construction and single business permits and enhanced enforcement has improved our revenue collection. The new automated systems have helped to minimize corruption with regards to the side of the county officials who collect revenues manually,” said Mr Thoya.
Mr Thoya who was speaking at his office also revealed that the county government seeks to collect Sh3 billion at the end of this financial year from Sh2.4 billion in the 2014/2015 financial year.
The county government will also seek to automate more than 70,000 businesses in the county through the single business platform.
“With the fully operational revenue collection system, we are determined to meet our revenue target this year of Sh3 billion unlike the Sh2.4 billion we received last year,” said Thoya.
Through the initiative, the county government will also seek to attract more investors in the county in a bid to boost the county’s economy.