Nairobi: Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, Dr. Belio Kipsang, has issued a stern warning to public servants against demanding cash payments for government services, underscoring Kenya’s full transition to a cashless payment system.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Kipsang emphasized that public servants found asking for cash payments would face arrests and prosecutions, labeling such actions as fraudulent. He reminded officials that the National Treasury had centralized payment of government levies through the introduction of a Single Pay Bill Number, allowing Kenyans to make payments from multiple wallets via the government’s online payment portal, eCitizen.
Addressing National Government Administration Officials (NGAOs) at the Maasai Mara University in Narok County, Dr. Kipsang highlighted the integration of the Digital Payment platform with all available electronic payment systems in Kenya, including mobile money services, rendering cash transactions obsolete. He stated, “Anybody purporting to charge or pay for any government service in cash is being involved in a fraudulent activity.’
Dr. Kipsang further asserted that all government service payments must be executed through eCitizen.go.ke, using the official Government of Kenya Pay Bill number 222222. He warned that public servants requesting cash payments are violating the law and would face severe disciplinary measures.
The Principal Secretary stressed the importance of integrity, transparency, and professionalism among civil servants. He declared, “The era of transferring government officers who engage in corrupt practices is gone. Persons found culpable will be dismissed and charged in court.”
The transition to a cashless system aims to curb theft, streamline revenue collection, enhance efficiency, and reduce corruption associated with cash handling. Dr. Kipsang pointed out that e-Citizen has established itself as a central gateway for Kenyans accessing a wide array of government services.
With over 22,000 services onboarded, the platform handles billions of shillings and is one of the busiest digital platforms in Kenya. Dr. Kipsang clarified that all funds collected through e-Citizen are directed to a National Treasury collection account at the Central Bank.
He added that daily collections on the platform range between Sh750 million and Sh1 billion, reflecting a significant increase from earlier figures. The system’s operating costs stand at over Sh1.1 billion annually, a fraction of the billions it helps mobilize for government services.
To ensure data security, the government hosts all e-Citizen data locally, with plans for a disaster recovery site and secondary backup system. Dr. Kipsang assured that all funds are accounted for and subject to audits by the Auditor-General, dismissing concerns about missing funds as mere ‘documentation’ issues.
The platform’s 24/7 operation enables Kenyans, including those abroad, to access government services without physical travel or long queues, streamlining government operations and fostering a thriving digital economy. Dr. Kipsang concluded that modernizing public service delivery and promoting digital literacy builds trust in online transactions.