Assessment of Innovative Money-Collecting Systems Strategy for Mobilizing Own-Source Revenue in Isiolo County Government

Abstract

The county governments are expected to mobilize their own-sources revenue to bridge the gap in equity share. Despite the elaborate national fiscal policies and legislative frameworks on own-source revenue mobilization, many county governments, including Isiolo, have continued to report deficiency and inability to increase their own-source revenue, adversely affecting service delivery. This study was set out to assess the innovative money-collecting systems strategy for enhancing own-source revenue in Isiolo County. The rational expectations theory of technology guided it. A cross-sectional descriptive survey research design was applied. Data was collected from the revenue-generating departments and county assembly-budget and finance committee. Since the target population (60) was small, all were included in the study. The content, construct, face validity, and reliability were applied to check the quality of the questionnaire used in data collection. Mean, frequencies, percentage, and factor analysis were computed using statistical package for social sciences, while regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis. The study found that Isiolo County heavily relied on equity share to execute its functions despite gazetting own-source revenue streams. One drawback was the weak innovative money-collecting systems strategy. The study noted a weak electronic revenue collecting system, hence, loopholes in own-source revenue mobilization initiatives. The need to re-address innovative money-collecting systems strategy was evident; hence the county government should adopt e-billing, e-payment, and security controls systems in collecting own-source revenue. The findings have implications on systems for collecting own-source revenue, budgetary allocation and further affect practices in collecting own-source revenue in Isiolo County government and others.