The government has assured Members of Parliament (MPs) that it fully owns the eCitizen online platform, which provides access to government services and facilitates digital payments.
Speaking before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok confirmed that the government holds all the necessary documents proving its ownership.
He reassured the MPs that there was nothing to hide regarding eCitizen’s ownership or the agreements made with various vendors to support the platform’s technical operations and maintenance.
“I can confirm that there is a valid contract, which was reviewed and approved by the Attorney General. This contract, signed with the ICT Authority (ICTA), shows that eCitizen was originally managed under ICTA before being transferred to the current State Department. The agreement clearly states that eCitizen is fully owned by the government,” PS Bitok explained.
To provide further clarity, the PS described how eCitizen operates under a structured system involving three key government entities.
His department is responsible for onboarding new services onto the platform, while ICTA manages the technical side of operations.
Meanwhile, the National Treasury, through the Government Digital Payments (GDP) system, oversees the collection of revenue from online transactions.
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MPs Question eCitizen Transaction Fees
During the session, Lari MP Joseph Kahangara asked how the government spends the Ksh50 convenience fee charged for each eCitizen transaction.
In response, PS Bitok assured the committee that the contract outlines the exact details of how this money is allocated.
He further emphasized that every transaction follows a transparent process to ensure accountability.
Changes in Kenya’s Travel System
The discussion also touched on the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system, which replaced traditional entry visas for travelers visiting Kenya.
PS Bitok stated that because of national security concerns, the government would seek guidance from security agencies when carrying out the necessary procurement process for the system.
Additionally, Bitok, shared the impact of President William Ruto’s decision to make Kenya a visa-free country.
Since the policy change last year, the number of visitors to Kenya has increased by 20% compared to 2023. This surge in international arrivals indicates a positive response to the new travel regulations.
Officials Present at the Meeting
Several high-ranking officials accompanied PS Bitok during his briefing to the committee. These included eCitizen Director General Isaac Ochieng, Immigration Director Evelyn Cheluget, and other senior government representatives.
Their presence demonstrated the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in managing digital services and national security policies.
