City Hall to curb graft with automation of services s

The City Council of Nairobi is set to automate its operations to boost efficiency and curb fraud in its revenue collection system that has cost it millions of shillings.

The council hopes to protect its revenues and improve service delivery to city residents who for years have grappled with corrupt council workers, poor roads, housing shortage, health centres and poor garbage collection.

About half of the council’s revenues are lost to unscrupulous employees, with the automation of financial management expected to double its takings, which currently stand at about Sh11 billion.

“This will enhance citizen value and service delivery, as well as increase operational efficiency and drive cost savings,” the council said in a newspaper advertisement inviting bids for the comprehensive automation of its operations.

City Hall plans to automate its financial management, human resources, document management, information system, procurement, workflow, asset and logistics management, among others.

Parking fees, land rates and business permits are the leading sources of revenue for the council. Currently, employees of the council use printed receipts to record transactions, creating a leeway for usage of fake receipts and underhand deals with clients.

Lack of proper record management system has been identified as a major aid to corruption. Other utility firms such as Kenya Power and Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company have also adopted electronic payments that have increased customer convenience and cut revenue collection costs.

Such solutions include mobile money transfer services that are now integrated into the banking system. Aside from cutting costs and curbing fraud in its operations, the council is seeking to reclaim money it may have lost in the past through dubious contract awards.
City Hall has, for instance, invited bids from forensic auditors to unearth alleged fraud in the provision of legal services.