The government has issued a clarification following a report by Daily Nation on Monday, April 14, alleging that billions of shillings in revenue collected from foreigners travelling to the country were unscrupulously diverted into Swiss accounts.
In Daily Nation's exposé, the publication claimed that Ksh6.5 billion in revenue from the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) programme had been questionably diverted to a Swiss account, comparing the move to the infamous 2014 Eurobond saga.
However, in a statement released on Monday, April 14, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura clarified that the Swiss transactions were part of a piloting phase of the ETA programme as part of the government's plans to improve strategic partnerships with the Swiss firm.
“There was a piloting phase for the ETA programme, which was a collaboration between the Kenyan government and a Swiss company,” the government spokesperson said, adding that the piloting phase was done.
The report indicated that the Swiss firm was contracted by the government to manage the eTA system for six months and collected Ksh6.5 billion between August 2024 and February 2025. The firm, according to the report, was reportedly paid Ksh1.5 billion for their services, which was roughly 23 per cent of their total revenues.
The report further raised concerns about the decision by the government to allow a foreign firm to collect and hold public revenue, particularly outside Kenya’s Consolidated Fund.
However, according to the government spokesperson, this was merely a pilot programme, which has since been completed.
Mwaura's statement added, “The piloting has been completed, and all payments are now made through eCitizen and remitted to the Consolidated Fund.”
The clarification came amid rising suspicions over the Kenyan government's deal with Switzerland, particularly after explosive allegations by former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, who alleged that President William Ruto had pressured him to approve a Ksh130 billion grant from foreign donors.
This move, according to Muturi, would have been outside legal frameworks set by the Public Finance Management Act, and that is why he turned down the request.
The report by Daily Nation further highlighted another concerning issue regarding government funds that are being kept outside the Consolidated Fund, which is a violation of constitutional and financial regulations designed to ensure transparency.
As per Article 206(1) of the constitution, "There is established a Consolidated Fund into which shall be paid all money raised or received by or on behalf of the national government," except in special circumstances.
