CRA visits Kitui amid reported loss of KSh11.3M OSR by staff

The CRA delegation led by commissioner Benedict Muasya, was on Thursday  hosted by Kitui Governor Julius Malombe in his office for a courtesy call.

The visit according to a dispatch from Governor Malombe’s  press desk was meant to inform the development of revenue mapping guidelines for the County.

Late last year Kitui treasury officials admitted before a Senate committee that revenue officers had pocketed the huge chunk of OSR instead of remitting the same to the Kitui county account.

During the Senate County Public Accounts session that was chaired by vice chairman, Samson Cherargei, the committee members wondered why the dishonest staff had not been handed over to EACC or DCI.

Malombe said that the initial action taken was to recover the money from the salaries of the culprits but Charagei ordered him to ensure they were arrested and charged in court for theft.

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua has already expressed concern over the failure by the Country administration to take legal action against staff caught with their hands in the public till. “It is probably only in the County Government of Kitui where such strange things happen,” lamented the senator in a statement he issued to the media.

Even as Malombe on Thursday commended the CRA for supporting counties in boosting their OSR, Kitui residents are watching to see if he will make the OSR thieves face the law.

The Governor hailed CRA for its advisory role on financial management and resource allocation. He welcomed CRA guidance in financing and management strategies.

Muasya affirmed the Commission's commitment to equitable revenue sharing and also crafting  the equalization fund sharing  formula.

He further added that CRA will not relent in its role towards  enhancing revenue sources, promoting fiscal responsibility, and identifying marginalized areas through regular policy reviews.