In a move to boost Kisumu’s fiscal performance, City Manager Abala Wanga, CECM for Finance George Okong’o, and CECM for Land, Housing, Physical Planning, and Urban Development today unveiled a comprehensive revenue optimization framework during a strategic meeting held at Maseno Agricultural Training Centre (ATC).
The new measures, targeting both the city and its municipalities, aim to streamline revenue collection, enhance accountability, and leverage technology to monitor urban development.
Key measures proposed included property data documentation, in which the county will systematically document all properties within Kisumu City and its municipalities. This data will serve as a foundation for accurate revenue projections and efficient collection mechanisms.
Performance-based revenue tracking will also be introduced; all revenue officers will be enlisted in a centralized Excel spreadsheet system, each assigned specific targets to meet. This approach is expected to improve transparency and monitor performance.
In addition, an integrated enforcement collaboration will see enforcement officers working closely with revenue officers and city planners to ensure compliance and achieve revenue goals. This cross-functional coordination is designed to reduce revenue leakages and improve service delivery.
In a tech-forward initiative, the county has hired two drone pilots to monitor new development structures across Kisumu. This drone surveillance for urban development will help identify unregistered developments and ensure developers adhere to planning regulations.
To maintain momentum and accountability, regular progress reviews will be held, with weekly meetings between the city manager and all 14 ward revenue officers. Monthly review sessions with the respective CECMs will also track progress and address emerging challenges.
City Manager Abala Wanga emphasized the importance of these reforms in positioning Kisumu as a model for urban revenue management. “We are aligning our systems to be more responsive, transparent, and data-driven. This is about building a sustainable financial base for Kisumu’s future,” he said.
CECM George Okong’o added that the success of the initiative hinges on collaboration and discipline across departments. “Revenue is the lifeblood of development. With clear targets and coordinated enforcement, we can unlock Kisumu’s full potential,” he said. The meeting marks a significant step in Kisumu’s journey toward fiscal modernization and urban accountability.
