Finance

𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗨𝗘𝗡𝗜, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 — Protecting members’ savings through sound governance, accountability and prudent financial management is at the heart of efforts to strengthen ward-based SACCOs in Makueni County.

As part of this initiative, nine ward-based SACCOs convened in Emali on Thursday, followed by another 10 SACCOs at Kikima on Friday, for a three-day countywide sensitisation forum aimed at improving leadership, strengthening financial accountability and enhancing operational efficiency.

Funded by the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) in partnership with the Cooperative Development Directorate, the training equips SACCO leaders with practical skills in regulatory compliance, use of the SACCO Toolkit and cybersecurity to promote transparency, protect members’ funds and improve service delivery.

Addressing participants, Chief Officer for Livestock and Cooperative Development Daniel Ndolo urged SACCO leaders to embrace responsible management, uphold accountability and prioritise the safety of members’ savings.

The initiative seeks to build stronger, more transparent and secure SACCOs capable of expanding access to financial services, supporting farmers and traders, and driving sustainable economic growth across Makueni County.

Makueni County has been commended by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) for its outstanding improvement in own-source revenue collection.

Speaking during the 2026 National Productivity and Performance Conference organised by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission in Nairobi on Thursday ,CRA Chairperson Mary Wanyonyi Chebukati noted that Makueni is among the counties that have recorded significant growth in locally generated revenue.

The county’s own-source revenue increased from KSh 189 million in the 2013/2014 financial year to KSh 1.291 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year, representing an approximate growth of 582 per cent.

She emphasized the need for counties to strengthen revenue administration and management systems, observing that revenue generation and productivity are closely interconnected.

She also recommended the development of a national revenue productivity framework, the promotion of evidence-based revenue policy formulation, and the strengthening of human capital productivity as key strategies for enhancing county revenue collection.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who represented Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. at the conference, highlighted five key pillars that have transformed revenue collection in Makueni.

These include digital transformation, expansion of the revenue base, strategic partnerships, citizen engagement and voluntary compliance, as well as performance management and accountability.

Mulili, who was a panellist during a breakout session at the conference, said own-source revenue is no longer merely a financial requirement but a strategic instrument for strengthening governance, improving institutional performance, and enhancing service delivery.

Makueni County has been ranked the best-performing county in Kenya in the County Budget Transparency Survey (CBTS) 2025, scoring an impressive 89 out of 100 points, the highest among all 47 counties.

The county also emerged as the biggest winner during the survey’s launch in Nairobi, taking home five prestigious awards, more than any other county.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili represented Makueni at the event, which was organized by Bajeti Hub under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Abraham Rugo Muriu.

The awards recognized Makueni as the most transparent county overall, the best-performing county in the timely publication of budget documents, and the county with the most comprehensive Quarterly Budget Implementation Report, County Fiscal Strategy Paper, and Finance Act.

The achievement underscores the county’s strong performance across all stages of the budget cycle.The latest recognition marks five consecutive years of sustained improvement in budget transparency.

Makueni’s score has steadily risen from 55 points in 2021 to 89 points in 2025, recording progress in every round of the survey during the five-year period.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., Mulili attributed the achievement to visionary leadership, robust public participation, and the county’s unwavering commitment to grassroots development.

She noted that 70 per cent of the county’s development budget is allocated to projects at the community level, with each project overseen by a Project Management Committee (PMC) to enhance accountability and eliminate the possibility of ghost projects.

County delegations attending the event congratulated Makueni on the achievement, with many describing the county as a benchmark for transparency and accountability in Kenya’s devolved system of governance.

Makueni’s performance reflects Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s vision that openness and transparency in public finance management are essential pillars for effective service delivery and sustainable development.

The award ceremony was attended by Finance CECM Damaris Kavoi and Acting Chief Officer for Planning Geoffrey Ngovi Muthoka, among other county officials and stakeholders.

The GIZ Regional Advisor Maurice Owaka, has applauded Makueni County for demonstrating strong governance and accountability, attributes that earned the county recognition from the Office of the Auditor -General through a clean audit report in the last financial year.

Owaka commended the county for the achievement, underscoring the importance of the ongoing mid term review in assessing development progress and generating recommendations aimed at improving the implementation of the county Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) for the remaining period.

He spoke while addressing sector Working groups currently undertaking the mid term review for the (CIDP 111) covering the period between 2023 and 2027.

County Treasury CECM Damaris Kavoi urged the team to sustain the momentum, emphasizing that performance management and the CIDP are closely linked. She noted that the CIDP serves as the county’s main development blueprint, while performance management measures whether departments are delivering on the commitments outlined in the plan.

Kavoi said the ongoing review exercise provides Makueni County with an opportunity to assess not only completed projects, but also the effectiveness of performance contracting, monitoring systems, accountability structures and overall service delivery outcomes across departments.

The exercise is being supported by GIZ, with the aim of enhancing service delivery and promoting transparency in governance.

The Department of Finance on Monday launched a countywide tax discount roadshow aimed at encouraging traders to comply with tax obligations and enhance revenue collection across the county.

The initiative includes a tax discount programme running from March 9, 2026, targeting small-scale traders who form the majority of taxpayers in the county.

Under the programme, traders paying less than KSh 10,000 will receive a 10 percent discount, while those paying above KSh 10,000 will benefit from a five percent discount.

Speaking while flagging off the campaign at Wote Bus Park, County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning Damaris Kavoi emphasized the critical role of taxes in driving development across the county.

Kavoi also highlighted the benefits of the digitized tax payment systems, noting that residents can now conveniently access services without the need to travel long distances.

The five-day roadshow began on Monday and covered several areas including Wote, Kilala, Mukuyuni, Kikima, Kalawani, Tawa and Mbumbuni, as part of efforts to reach traders directly and sensitize them on the tax discount initiative.

The second round of public participation forums began Tuesday across the county, drawing large crowds to ward-level meetings aimed at harmonising sub-ward proposals into unified ward development priorities.

In Kisau Kiteta Ward, more than 200 residents gathered for the day-long session, where they consolidated projects valued at KSh 33 million. Similar exercises are underway in all wards, with the engagements scheduled to run through Thursday.

Finance CECM Damaris Kavoi, who attended the Kisau Kiteta forum, praised the strong turnout, noting the active involvement of retired civil servants. She described their participation as a demonstration that citizens remain vital contributors to local development even after leaving public service.

Kavoi also commended residents for consistently ensuring that the voices of persons living with disabilities are included in the discussions, saying inclusive participation is key to equitable budgeting.

She further lauded Public Management Committees for their continued oversight of county projects and encouraged residents to utilise services offered by extension officers and other county staff stationed in the wards.

Participants in the ward, additionally prioritised development needs for Mbooni Kee Municipality.

Ward forums continue Wednesday, with special interest group sessions scheduled for Thursday. The Youth Public Participation forum will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., while the Diaspora forum is slated for 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., both via Zoom.