IFMIS not to blame for corruption in counties, CRA chair Micah Cheserem says
Delegates at a conference in Mombasa where Commission on Revenue Allocation chairman Micah Cheserem said the financial management system IFMIS should not be blamed for loss of funds in counties. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Automation of finances in counties would eliminate corruption and infuse efficiency in revenue collection.
- Mr Mugo said all ICT practitioners would be required to register from next week.
The Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) has supported the use of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), saying it was not to blame for the rampant theft of funds in counties.
CRA chairman Micah Cheserem and Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Authority CEO Robert Mugo said those stealing money from counties should not use IFMIS as an excuse but take responsibility for their actions.
Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, Mr Cheserem said a system is run by “individuals with names”.
“Thieves will remain thieves and should be known by that name. They are all corrupt individuals and therefore, thieves who should be held responsible for their actions,” he said during the annual County Revenue Automation conference at the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort and Spa.
The conference brought together officers from the CRA, the ICT Authority of Kenya and implementers of financial management and policies from the 47 counties.
Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and his Uasin Gishu counterpart Jackson Mandago pushed for autonomous ICT systems for counties, saying this would enable them to monitor their own finances.
They said the automation of finances in counties would eliminate corruption and infuse efficiency in revenue collection.
“There is no need to conduct research for new systems of automation. There is no need to reinvent the wheel when there exists one already. We only need to enhance it,” said Mr Mandago.
Mr Kabogo said automation of revenue collection had increased his county’s take from Sh800 million in 2014 to Sh2.47 billion last year, and his 2017 target is Sh5 billion.
“No county will prosper without automating its revenue collection. In the past, 70 per cent of Kiambu County revenue went to private pockets but we have eliminated this,” he said.
Mr Cheserem said more judges should be recruited and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the police strengthened to deal with corruption, which he added must end for the country to progress.
He urged the national government to disburse more resources to counties and harmonise devolution, which he said was too expensive to run.
Responding to concerns from governors that many fake ICT providers flock counties seeking contracts, Mr Mugo said all practitioners would be required to register from next week.
“We are working to introduce ICT standards that will be launched so that vendors register and provide a basis for quality management and value for money. Those which fail to comply will be blacklisted,” he said.
