NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 5 – Treasury and Economic Planning Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo has defended the government’s directive mandating school fees payments through the e-Citizen platform, stating that the system is legally anchored and enhances efficiency in revenue collection.
This defence follows a lawsuit filed in February last year by Nakuru-based doctor Magare Gikenyi, challenging the directive’s legality and constitutionality due to an alleged lack of public participation.
In an affidavit submitted to the High Court, Kiptoo emphasised that the e-Citizen platform and the County Single Account System operate within legal frameworks.
He noted that the e-Citizen platform, a government-owned portal developed with technical assistance from the International Finance Corporation, has expanded from initially offering ten services to approximately 15,000, serving an average of 120,000 users daily.
“The e-Citizen platform integrates various electronic payment methods, including the officially gazetted Paybill Number 222222, mobile money, credit cards, and internet banking, ensuring multiple transaction options for users,” Kiptoo stated.
He assured that the system incorporates stringent security measures such as two-factor authentication and secure data storage protocols to protect personal data.
However, Kiptoo clarified that basic education institutions have not yet been onboarded onto the platform.System configurations and stakeholder sensitisation efforts are currently underway to facilitate a smooth transition in the future.
Despite the government’s assurances, Gikenyi has petitioned the court to issue an injunction halting the directive.In his petition, Gikenyi argues that the directive lacks legal backing due to the absence of public participation.
He claims that Principal Secretary for Education Belio Kipsang issued a circular on January 31 instructing school principals to prepare for the new payment system without engaging the public.
Gikenyi also took issue with a Gazette notification by Finance Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u, which introduced a Ksh50 convenience fee per transaction on the e-Citizen platform.
He contends that this fee is an undue financial burden on Kenyans who already incur transaction costs through existing paybill services.According to Gikenyi, the charge lacks transparency and appears to benefit undisclosed entities at the expense of citizens.
The petition challenges the rationale behind adopting M-Pesa as the primary transaction medium without considering alternatives.
It further questions the transparency in managing the funds collected through the system.Gikenyi’s petition targets key government ministries, including Treasury and Interior, as stakeholders in the rollout of the payment directive.
The High Court is expected to rule on the matter in the coming weeks, a decision that could have significant implications for the government’s digitisation efforts in public service payments.
