Kenyans will soon be able to make payments on eCitizen using debit and credit cards should a proposal by Members of Parliament be adopted by the Treasury.
During a meeting on Friday, March 1 in Nakuru County, the National Assembly's Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations noted that many Kenyans, especially those in the diaspora would be adversely affected in accessing government services if the payment model was not expanded.
Currently, eCitizen payments are made through mobile money platforms via pay bill number, 222222.
The recommendation was made by the committee after observing the delivery of services to Kenyans in the diaspora through the Mobile Consular Service Exercise.
"The Report in part recommends that the National Treasury should resolve the payment limitations on the eCitizen platform regarding the ability to use debit and credit cards so that Kenyans abroad can pay for services on the platform," the Committee stated in its report.
Despite being in the diaspora, Kenyans living abroad often seek various services including the renewal of passports, the acquisition of identity cards, and marriage certificate services among others.
Given that the government also onboarded the payment of school fees on eCitizen, it will also be easier for Kenyans in the diaspora to make the payments for their families seamlessly.
The government has been onboarding various services on eCitizen in recent months following President William Ruto's directive.
According to Ruto, onboarding services on the platform will enhance accountability given that collection of money is now centralised.
"The cash payments system is slippery and often an avenue for graft. Technology will help us eliminate this,” Ruto stated after the Nairobi High Court suspended the payment of fees on the platform.
In December, Ruto revealed that 11 million Kenyans were transacting on the platform with the government collecting up to Ksh 900 million in given days.
