'I have no apologies to make,' Waiguru says on Ksh.4M breakfast for revenue collection clerks

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has justified the expenditure of Ksh.4 million on breakfast for revenue collection clerks in the county, stating that it has helped double revenue collections.

Speaking at the County Headquarters in Kutus during the launch of the national government’s health digitization initiative, Waiguru explained that the allowances have motivated the revenue collectors, leading to a steady increase in the county's Own Source Revenue (OSR) from around Ksh.300 million to approximately Ksh.700 million.

She added that the funds were allocated in the 2023/2024 financial year as lunch and breakfast allowances for staff responsible for revenue collection at the markets over the course of a full year, thus justifying the payments, which had been raised as an audit query at the Senate.  

“I am a fair boss, I push people to deliver but I also make sure I am fair. This Ksh.4 million they are talking about is allowances for the entire year for our revenue collectors whom I have given a target of Ksh.700 million,” said Waiguru.

“The revenue collectors have to be at the market at 4am and leave the market at 10 pm, the least we can do is to facilitate them to do the work.”  

Further, Waiguru highlighted that the revenue collection clerks take home Ksh.15,000 per month, noting that it is imperative to keep them motivated at all times.

“I have no apologies to make about that because I want my staff to work. If we can spend Ksh.4 million to get Ksh.400 million that is good Mathematics and we have to be fair to our staff,” she said.

Further, Waiguru noted that her administration is committed to better remuneration and motivation of staff so that they can deliver on their target.

“I have been a civil servant myself and I understand what the staff go through to ensure services are delivered. We want to increase our revenue collection target to Ksh.700 million and this target can only be achieved by a motivated staff,” she added.

Additionally, Waiguru asked her staff to work hard, knowing well her administration will facilitate them to deliver on their target.