Audit flags Sh6.3bn eCitizen payments, MPs seek answers

A session of the Public Accounts Committee at Parliament, as MPs examined a special audit report on the digital payments platform/SCREENGRAB

Members of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee have raised concerns over the reported movement of Sh6.3 billion from the government’s eCitizen platform into an alleged private account, citing issues around the security of the system and possible misuse of public funds.

The concerns emerged during a session of the Public Accounts Committee at Parliament as lawmakers reviewed a special audit report on the digital payments platform.

The audit, covering the period between 2014 and 2025, flagged discrepancies in the handling of payments, including Sh6.3 billion, comprising Sh68.7 million and $48 million, that was channelled through an account, which they alleged was not listed among approved accounts.

“We did not have access to the eCitizen platform,” Direct Audit OAG Addy Waichigo said, claiming that his office was denied access to the platform during the audit, limiting verification of transactions and raising concerns over transparency in the management of public funds.

He told the committee that the account was not among those approved by the National Treasury to collect government revenue.

National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, however, told the committee that the funds had since been secured after the matter came to the ministry’s attention.

“When the matter came to the attention of the National Treasury, a letter was written to (one of the banks) requesting details of the agency accounts and instructions were issued to freeze them,” Kiptoo said.

“The accounts were frozen, and the funds in those accounts were withheld. We are accountable to Parliament,” he added.

Members of the committee also questioned how the government allegedly paid Sh127.8 million to a private account as part of an out-of-court settlement after a firm sued over alleged wrongful termination of its contract on the platform.

Kiptoo said the Treasury would provide documentation on the approvals for the payment, noting that the matter involved internal processes.

Lawmakers further sought clarification on whether the payment service provider operating the platform had been properly licensed.

“I am asking you a specific question about the PSP. Was it licensed from 2015 to 2025?” one MP posed.

Kiptoo said a licence exists from 2023, adding that the Treasury would verify records for the earlier period and submit them to the committee.

The Auditor maintained that the lack of access to the platform raised concerns over transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

“We did not have access to the eCitizen platform,” Waichigo reiterated.

Kiptoo questioned the reported denial, saying the audit office should not be restricted from executing its constitutional mandate.

“I would want to know who denied access, because that is not right. How can you deny someone doing a constitutional role?” he said.

The committee has now invited several entities linked to the platform’s operations to appear before it.