NAIROBI, Kenya- No government department will be allowed to undermine the digitisation of government services, President William Ruto has warned.
The President said the government is committed to transparency and accountability in the collection of public revenue and the delivery of public services.
He gave 34 government institutions resisting the digitisation programme a one-week deadline to onboard all their services and payments on the e-Citizen platform, saying they must all comply with the directive.
“They have one week to comply. Otherwise, they know what to do – they can make use of the door. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
The President made the remarks during the first anniversary of the e-Citizen Directorate at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.
President Ruto also called out government agencies that have onboarded their services on e-Citizen, but continue to use alternative payment methods to facilitate theft of public funds.
The President directed the e-Citizen management to provide such institutions’ records of the past three months to enable the government take action against those undermining transparency in the collection of public resources.
“We cannot continue to collect public money in grey areas and dark corners,” he said.
He added: “We want a system where the public knows the portal through which the money they pay is collected. We must be able to track revenue from every public entity and ensure that citizens’ payments go directly to public coffers.”
President Ruto pointed out that digitisation of government services has significantly improved efficiency in service delivery, saving time and money for both citizens and the government.
The President noted that, within one year, e-Citizen now hosts 22,515 services and boasts a whopping 13 million active users.
He said revenue collection on the digital platform has grown significantly, enabling the government to mobilise critical resources for public projects.
“E-Citizen is not just a digital service delivery platform; it represents a paradigm shift that has redefined public service delivery in Kenya and profoundly impacted lives,” he said.
He cited the Kenya Wildlife Service, saying it had increased annual revenue collection from KSh5.3 billion to KSh7.6 billion, thanks to the digitisation programme.
“This means that more than KSh2 billion used to end up in people’s pockets,” he noted.
On social health insurance, the President said it has also been moved online to eliminate inefficiency, wastage and corruption and ensure the programme runs smoothly.
“It has made it easier for claims to be assessed and for citizens to access services,” he said.
The government’s cash transfer programme for the vulnerable, including people with severe disabilities and orphans, President Ruto noted that the digitisation of the payments begins on Friday and will ensure beneficiaries receive their stipends from the comfort of their homes.
To stay ahead in emerging technological advancements, the President said the government is enhancing the adoption of technologies, including artificial intelligence, to make services proactive rather than reactive.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi commended the digitisation of government services, noting that it has expanded access to public services and curbed corruption.
Mr Mudavadi , who is also the acting Cabinet Secretary for Interior, pointed out that the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is not a visa, maintaining that Kenya remains a visa-free nation.
