Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s claim of improved revenue collection by the county government, up to Sh38 million a day from Sh7 million, appears impressive.
The newfound efficiency has buoyed the new governor, who now has an ambitious target of Sh100 million daily collection.
It will be laudable to achieve this ambitious goal. It should, however, not cloud the real work that awaits the governor -- which is the efficient provision of services to people of Nairobi.
Revenues are good, but the issue lies in what use is made of it. Touting revenue growth alone risks becoming a hollow self-praise or showmanship for something whose impact no one but the governor is going to savour.
Indeed, Evans Kidero, who held the office until August 8, has dismissed the new targets as part of the new government’s “public relations spin”.
In the meantime, Mr Sonko has yet to articulate exactly how the promises set out in his manifesto will be implemented.
The county should shift focus to the more critical issues that face city, including traffic congestion, garbage collection and disposal and the provision of clean water.
If the inefficiencies of the city government and other key issues afflicting the city are prioritised and promptly addressed, the problem of revenues will in the process have been solved.
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