KRA To Take Over Collection Of Revenue In Nairobi County

On Tuesday, the 26th of February, 2020, Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko of Nairobi County shocked those who voted for him after he “entered into a deal” with the National Government, officially handing over the functions of the county to the National Government.

The handing over of the vital functions under the County Government of Nairobi to the National Government leaves Governor Mike Sonko with just a skeleton role in the running and managing the affairs of the County. The running of various major activities within the County have now been taken over by the National Government.

Going forward, Governor Mike Sonko will not have a say on the collection of the revenue within Nairobi County. In the deal signed between the Governor and the National Government at State House, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) now becomes the principal collector of revenue within Nairobi County.

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is now in charge of collecting parking fees, issuing and collecting fees for business permits/licenses, land lease fees, and buildings approval charges. The agreement takes effect in 21 days. But, was the “transfer” done within the law? Were all the channels exploited?

Other functions that Mike Mbuvi Sonko handed over to the National Government include; the running of the county health services, the running of the county transport services, being in charge of the Public Works, Utilities and Ancillary services, and the running and managing of the County Government Planning and Development.

According to Mike Sonko’s reasons for handing over the functions of the County Government, “the County Government of Nairobi is conscious of its internal constraints as to the effective discharge of its functions… some of the functions would be more effectively performed and exercised by the National Government.”

According to most Nairobians, Mike Mbuvi Sonko has betrayed them. He has literally sold them to the highest bidder. It also going to be difficult for the Nairobi County Assembly to play an oversight role for the National Government.

READ: Breaking: Functions Of Nairobi County Handed Over To The National Government