ADVERT 
Siaya County is on the brink of a major revenue transformation following significant progress in the preparation of a new Draft Valuation Roll aimed at modernizing property rate collection and unlocking millions in untapped local revenue.
The Department of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development this week convened a high-level consultative meeting with Dansal and Associates Limited, the consultancy firm spearheading the exercise, to review milestones and chart the path toward implementation.
Led by Director Wycliffe Ong’onge, the consultancy team presented a comprehensive update on the draft roll, which is being developed in strict compliance with the National Rating Act 2024. The new valuation roll is expected to provide a current, detailed, and legally sound register of all rateable properties across the county.
Ong’onge noted that the existing valuation framework had long been overtaken by events, failing to reflect rising property values, shifting land use patterns, and rapid urban growth in key towns such as Siaya, Bondo, and Ugunja.
“The current roll no longer mirrors market realities. This exercise is about restoring fairness and ensuring every property owner contributes proportionately based on present-day value,” he said.
The new system will assess properties based on updated market valuations, creating a transparent and equitable rating structure while sealing loopholes that have historically led to revenue leakages.
County officials are optimistic that the updated roll will significantly enhance own-source revenue, reducing overreliance on national government allocations and strengthening the county’s capacity to fund development projects.
Assistant Director of Valuation, Mr. Madegwa, emphasized that the draft roll contains critical data including ownership details, property descriptions, and assessed values. He added that the document will soon be subjected to public scrutiny.
In line with constitutional requirements, the draft valuation roll will undergo a public inspection phase, allowing residents and stakeholders to verify records and raise objections where necessary.
“This process guarantees transparency, accountability, and fairness. Every property owner will have an opportunity to engage before the roll is finalized,” Madegwa explained.
The meeting brought together top county leadership, including Lands CECM Augustine Neto Adhola and Chief Officer Joseph Mboha, alongside key departmental heads and municipal managers.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to completing the exercise and rolling out the new framework, describing it as a cornerstone of Siaya’s fiscal sustainability strategy.
Once adopted, the valuation roll is expected to not only streamline revenue collection but also support long-term urban planning, infrastructure development, and improved service delivery across the county.
As Siaya positions itself for economic growth, the valuation roll signals a shift toward data-driven governance and financial accountability—laying the groundwork for a more self-reliant and development-focused county.
With implementation on the horizon, residents now await the public participation phase that will shape one of the most consequential fiscal reforms in the county’s recent history.
