The government on Tuesday, March 21, announced plans to review costs involved in the e-citizen platform in a move aimed at enhancing service delivery.
In the policy resolutions relating to the Budget Policy Statement for the FY 2023/24 tabled before parliament, it was resolved that government agencies review the fees for online services under the Ministry of Information Communication and Digital Technology.
The report noted that the review would enhance service delivery and also help the government raise revenue.
"General resolution was that the fees/charges on digital services offered through the e-Citizen platform be reviewed with a view of optimizing revenue collection and service delivery," read the statement in part.
The move came after an uproar among Kenyans who raised concerns over the convenience fee of Ksh50 that is charged for transactions on the platform.
However, it was not indicated whether the charges would be raised or reduced.
Normally, Kenyans pay for the Ksh50 fee in addition to other charges on the platform which vary depending on the services sought.
For instance, renewal of a driving license for one year cost Ksh600. Inclusive of the convenience fee, one therefore, parts ways with Ksh650.
Proposals to review the fees also came days after the government added over 5,000 services to the digital platform including the application of marriage certificates.
President William Ruto explained that the move to digitise the services was aimed at helping the government raise more revenue.
“We have sorted out all the challenges we had with eCitizen; by the end of next year, all 5,000 government services will be available on a digital platform.
"This is part of the program to ensure we are in a position to collect all taxes due to government,” Ruto explained then.
According to the Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, the government was raising Ksh80 million with the over 300 services offered on the platform.
The state targets to raise Ksh1 billion daily with the introduction of 5,000 new services.
