The Kakamega County Revenue Agency (KCRA) successfully conducted a dry run of the My County Pay Limited platform on Thursday, paving the way for a full-scale pilot launch of cashless revenue collection integrated with Safaricom’s M-PESA.
The test exercise, held on Wednesday, marks a pivotal moment in Kakamega’s ongoing efforts to digitize its fiscal operations amid broader national challenges in own-source revenue (OSR) collection.
Established under the Kakamega County Revenue Administration and Management Act of 2017, KCRA has long been at the forefront of streamlining collections to fund essential services like healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture in one of Kenya’s most populous counties.
However, recent reports highlight the hurdles: In the 2024/25 fiscal year, Kakamega achieved just 65% of its OSR target, contributing to a nationwide miss of KSh 20.37 billion against a collective goal of KSh 87.67 billion. A Council of Governors (CoG) study estimates Kakamega’s untapped potential at KSh 5.8 billion annually, underscoring the urgency of innovative tools like My County Pay to close these gaps and avoid mounting pending bills.
Speaking at the event, Chief Officer for ICT Suleiman Wanekeya emphasized the platform’s alignment with the county’s ambitious KSh 3 billion OSR target for the coming year.
“Digitizing revenue streams via M-PESA isn’t just about convenience—it’s a strategic imperative for Kakamega’s development agenda,” Wanekeya said.
“This integration will empower us to track collections in real-time, reduce leakages, and reinvest directly into service delivery, from road repairs in Khwisero Sub-County to health clinics in Mumias West.”
Echoing this, Chief Revenue Administrator Eng. Michael Maloba highlighted the system’s diagnostic capabilities.
“My County Pay will enable timely remittances and pinpoint revenue shortfalls, allowing data-driven adjustments to hit our targets,” he noted.
The platform, developed in partnership with Safaricom, offers residents seamless M-PESA payments for services such as business permits, land rates, parking fees, and utilities. Drawing from successful rollouts in counties like Kitui and Kisumu—where similar Safaricom-backed systems have boosted collections by up to 30% through features like citizen engagement portals and executive dashboards—Kakamega’s adoption promises enhanced transparency and accountability.
My County Pay Limited, a Kenyan fintech firm specializing in localized digital solutions, has already empowered over 400,000 users across 11 counties with tailored apps for revenue management, incident reporting, and even “Sema na Governor” feedback channels. Business Development Account Specialist Moureen Ogutu reaffirmed the company’s dedication during the test.
“Our commitment is unwavering: to secure Kakamega’s revenues while granting the county full administrative control,” Ogutu stated. “This ensures efficient, fraud-resistant operations that put residents first.”
The initiative builds on Kakamega’s track record of revenue innovation. Earlier this year, Busia County benchmarked KCRA’s operations, including high-performing stations like Khwisero, which has led monthly collections despite its size.
Training programs for over 300 revenue clerks on cashless systems, launched in recent years, have further prepared the ground. Nationally, Safaricom’s M-PESA—handling transactions worth KSh 2.1 trillion in 2014 alone and now integral to 70% of Kenya’s digital economy—continues to drive such transformations, from micro-loans via M-Shwari to global Visa-linked payments.
As the pilot rollout commences, county officials urge residents to embrace the shift.
“Paying via *606# or the My County Pay app is simple, secure, and supports our shared future,” Maloba added.
With devolution’s promise hinging on self-reliance, Kakamega’s digital leap could set a benchmark for Kenya’s 47 counties, turning fiscal challenges into opportunities for equitable growth.