The National Treasury has proposed new regulations to formally introduce access fees on the eCitizen platform, replacing the convenience fees previously used to support digital government services.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The proposed Public Finance Management (eCitizen System Management) Regulations, 2026, were reviewed by the National Assembly's Committee on Delegated Legislation on Thursday, August 27, as the Treasury seeks to establish a legal framework for managing the platform.

Under the proposed regulations, the access fees will help finance the operation, maintenance and management of the eCitizen system, which Kenyans use to access and pay for a wide range of government services.

Treasury officials told MPs that the change would provide a formal framework for fees charged through the platform and strengthen government control over eCitizen.

📌 What You Need to Know

The regulations seek to place the platform under the ownership, control, hosting, administration and maintenance of the government through the National Treasury.

The proposed regulations also seek to establish a Steering Committee and a Technical Committee to oversee the management and operations of eCitizen.

During the meeting, MPs sought clarity on the proposed fee structure and the powers that would be granted to the Cabinet Secretary under the new regulations.

Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe questioned a provision that allows the Cabinet Secretary to provide policy direction and prescribe standards for revenue collection through the platform, warning that it could give the Executive excessive powers.

“On Regulation 14(3), where the Cabinet Secretary shall provide policy direction and prescribe standards for collection of revenue under the system, I think that is over-delegation,” Mugabe said.

The Committee also questioned provisions that give the Treasury CS powers to appoint members of the Steering Committee based on factors such as representation and knowledge.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke