By PSCU
The County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) has directed the Murang’a County Executive to urgently conclude the preparation of the county’s valuation register in the shortest time possible.
The Committee issued the order after Governor Irungu Kangata said he requires at least two years to complete the process which is already in motion.
The process involves compiling a comprehensive register of properties within a county, each with its assessed value, to support the administration of property rates and taxation.
The process is initiated upon request from a county government and requires supporting documents like development plans, official searches, maps, and resolutions.
This roll serves as the legal basis for revenue collection by county governments and includes details such as property location, ownership, use, size, and corresponding market value.
The last valuation for the county was conducted in 2006, something the committee says has undermined the financial status of the entity.
During the session held on Tuesday, the Governor revealed that the County Assembly has already enacted the necessary legislation, marking the first step in the process.
While the county had recruited a valuer who will undertake the task, the Governor revealed the biggest challenge is public participation.
“This is not the right time to conduct public participation,” he told the Committee, even as he insisted that the process was on course during the session chaired by Senator Johnes Mwaruma, who is the vice chair of the Committee.
“Conducting public participation may cause panic among property owners in the County,” he said, adding that the process may complete in the next one or two years.
He told the Committee he had succeeded in circumventing procurement of private consultants and instead deal with valuers from the national government which had substantially reduced the cost of the process to Sh7 million.
Whereas Muranga Senator Joe Nyutu supported the Governor, Senator Mwaruma and Senator Samson Cherarkey rejected the explanation and insisted the process must be concluded and the outcome submitted to the Senate as proof.
“I agree with the Governor. We should not make people of Muranga to pay more in taxes. Let’s digest the projects the Governor has rolled out and their impact before the valuation,” said Senator Nyutu.
He said the reason the Governor is cautious with the process was that he will be seeking a second term in the next general election.
“He may not tell you but he is hesitant because he does not want to tax the people of Muranga more before the election.”
Senator Mwaruma insisted the valuation must be done so that the actual value of the revenue from the property in the county is ascertained.
“Complete the process so that we can determine the actual value of the property rates,” said Senator Mwaruma, saying the county can reduce the percentage of rates payable if the conditions will not be right.
“When the right time comes you can increase the rates accordingly.”
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