Kenyans To Be Forced To Pay Fees At Huduma Centres- Moses Kuria

Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has revealed plans by the government to introduce fees for services offered at Huduma Centres across the country.

Kuria was speaking during the official takeover of the State Department of Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management from Gender CS Aisha Jumwa on Monday, October 16.

The CS explained that the move would make Huduma Centers self-sustainable as the fee will facilitate the 52 centres situated across the country.

Inside a Huduma Centre in Nairobi CBD. /FILE

He further noted that through the fees, the Huduma centres will have the ability to generate their own revenues, thus easing pressure on the government exchequer.

"Our Huduma centres have been a popular source of government services for so many of us, and we must make sure they become self-sustainable without depending so much on the National Treasury.

"What about introducing a small fee for services offered? What about providing private sector services at a small fee? Venturing into E-commerce?" he posed.

Some of the services that will therefore be charged in Huduma centres include the renewal of driver’s licences, duplicate national identity cards, and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

Others include National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) registration and claims, HELB – Student Loan Application and Repayments, Registration of Welfare Groups, issuance of police abstracts, single business permit and stamp duty assessment among others.

At the same time, Kuria divulged on delivery management, warning that he would have a microscopic view of all projects carried out in the country, whether national or county government projects.

"We have no time to waste and everybody must be ready to work extra hard to make sure all these projects are completed on time. No time for laziness. I'll henceforth relieve the President of the task of following up on the progress of the government's projects and moving around this country ensuring all is well," Kuria committed.

The CS further hinted at plans for a major transformation within the National Youth Service (NYS) from where it had started in 2015 before it was messed up.

According to him, NYS will re-engineer a great transformation in Kenya by reviving the Agricultural sector and manufacturing as well as incarcerating the culture of patriotism, which will be the tool of hope, and discipline to our youths.

"The Kenya School of Government has a lot to work on and make sure it becomes our tool for widening our influence in the region. The transformation of making KSG to the African School of Government starts now, and soon all other African governments will be coming here for their training. 

"Clearly, we have our work cut out, and we can't afford the luxury of bickering amongst civil servants. We must ensure we have a public service that works for the people and adds value to the 54 million Kenyans who employ us," appealed Kuria.

CS Moses Kuria takes over the Public Service docket from CS Aisha Jumwa on October 16, 2023. /MOSES KURIA