President William Ruto has affirmed his administration’s commitment to curtailing cartels, which he termed a hindrance to the country’s development.
Ruto who was speaking during his official visit to Japan indicated that the digitization of government services will eradicate the abuse of cash payment hence curbing corruption.
The Head of state warned those opposed to the payment of service on the e-citizen platform indicating that the train has already left the station and is unstoppable.
Ruto was referring to the recent resistance to the government’s directive for parents to pay school fees using the e-citizen platform.
“Payment of school fees through e-citizen won’t be stopped since it helps to eliminate the payment of extra levies by some schools,” Ruto said.
The president who had a meeting with Kenyans in the diaspora during his visit to Japan also encouraged the Diaspora to embrace and support Kenya’s programme to digitalise government payments.
Ruto said that some individuals were operating some personal pay Bill, collecting government money from Kenyans.
“We have reduced 3000 government paybills to one. Some people have been operating personal pay bills and collecting government money. That will stop,” he stated.
On Wednesday, February 7th 2024, A Nakuru doctor moved to court to block the payment for all services through the E-Citizen.
Dr Magare Gikenyi, who is a Consultant Trauma and General Surgeon working for the county government of Nakuru, termed the initiative as illegal, adding that it violates the principles of good governance.
The doctor stated that the program proceeded without involving the public and was imposing a fee of Ksh.50 per transaction.
“The decision was arrived at capriciously, whimsically and without any public participation.”
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“Parents in rural areas who had been paying school fees via non-cash (trading maize and beans to the school) means will be locked out through this unfair administrative action.”
Dr. Magare now wants the court to stop the program until it meets the necessary criteria.
