More Schools To Pay Fees Via eCitizen- Govt Reveals

The government through Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok on Monday, February 5 revealed that more schools will be included in the plan to have parents pay school fees via the eCitizen platform.

In a statement to newsrooms, the PS revealed that once the system is successfully implemented in national schools, all extra county and county schools will be included in terms of paying fees through the unified government platform.

"To ensure a smooth rollout, the new payment system will be implemented in phases beginning with National schools and subsequently extending to Extra County and County schools," PS Bitok stated.

He explained that the objective of implementing the collection of school fees via the Citizen platform will enhance the coordination of the process as well as promote transparency and accountability.

PS Bitok added that the directive will also entrench an effective monitoring system on compliance with the relevant policies and regulations governing the levying and payment of fees in public secondary schools.

Furthermore, the Directorate of eCitizen has set up a payment collection process that is convenient and transparent to ensure that principals will be able to access funds received for their schools promptly and in full.

"The implementation of the payment process through the eCitizen forum will be undertaken in consultation with stakeholders. We are open to discussions and other inputs that will support the objectives of the directive," added the statement.

All listed schools will be required to submit their banking details to the Ministry of Education to facilitate payment via the platform. 

Bitok's statement came after Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang ordered all national schools to pay school fees via the platform. However, the development was criticised by Kenyans who feared that the directive risks tampering with the smooth operations of schools.

Since the Presidential directive took effect, over 14,000 government services are currently accessible and payable on eCitizen, and daily revenue collection has risen to an average of Ksh300 million per day in November.

However, the directive has been subject to criticism over the delays and inconveniences caused by the government mandating Kenyans to subscribe to the new forms of accessing vital government services.