Service in Kenyan capital to be automated

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 28 - The City Council of Nairobi is expected to be fully automated in the next two years.

Town Clerk Philip Kisia on Monday said that an effective information technology system would ensure that the council offers improved and efficient service delivery to city residents.

He also outlined other areas of improvement which include debt restructuring and enhancement of revenue collection.

“We want to be fully automated in another 24 months, we want to fully restructure our debts by the end of this financial year,” he said and added: “We want 25-40 percent of our revenue to be dedicated to capital expenditure.”

He was speaking during the re-launch of City Hall’s Strategic Plan 2006 to 2012 where he stressed the need to concentrate on the implementation of its recommendations. The Plan is being re-launched so that focus can be on its implementation.

“That document is not good if your customers do not feel you. If your customers do not tell you that yes, you have actually exceeded our expectations then that document has no value,” he pointed out.

Speaking during the same function, Local government Permanent Secretary Karega Mutahi stressed the need for collective effort to be put in place to meet the goals set out in the plan.

He explained that this would not only improve the council’s capacity to serve city residents in a timely manner but also streamline the sector.

“This revised strategy has identified specific projects that will contribute to the achievement of relevant national priorities including infrastructure development, water and sanitation, transport and social amenities as well as enhanced public service delivery,” he observed.

He further said that the private sector should be involved in the effective implementation of the plan.

“I urge the council to develop public- private sector partnerships framework in order to attract and sustain more players from the private sector to enhance the level of service delivery,” he encouraged.

Meanwhile, Finance committee chairman Michael Okumu has expressed the council’s commitment to increase its revenue base through debt collection.

He urged those owing the council money to pay up or expect stern action to be taken against them.

“There is a tendency that sometimes when money is being collected, people will always talk about harassment by the council. People will always make telephone calls to the ministry saying that they are being harassed by the council,” he said.

“I want to assure you that the City Council of Nairobi can never harass residents of the city.”

He further called on the Local Government Ministry to give it a hand in revenue collection.

“We only go to people who owe us money and if they do not want us to go there, tell them to come and pay and we will not visit any of them,” he said.

“If you owe us money, we will come for you during the day and we will also come to you during the night because we must get money to offer services to the residents of the City of Nairobi.”