Treasury proposes doubling eCitizen service fees to Sh100

eCitizen / FILE

The government is planning a major overhaul of e-Citizen transaction charges that could see Kenyans pay significantly more for accessing public services online under a new proposal by the National Treasury.

Under the proposed structure, charges will now be pegged on the value of the service being paid for through the e-Citizen platform, with some users expected to pay nearly double the current convenience fees.

If approved, services costing more than Sh100,000 will attract a transaction fee of up to Sh100, while payments ranging between Sh10,000 and Sh99,999 will incur a Sh70 charge.

Kenyans paying for services valued between Sh500 and Sh9,999 will pay Sh50, while those making payments between Sh100 and Sh499 will be charged Sh5.

Services below Sh99 will remain free of charge.

The proposed changes are expected to affect millions of Kenyans who rely on the e-Citizen platform for services such as passport applications, driving licence renewals, business registration, NTSA transactions and various county government payments.

Treasury argues that the revised structure is intended to streamline digital payments and sustain the growing demand for online government services.

eCitizen is the government online service portal that allows individuals, businesses, and organisations to access a wide range of public services digitally.

It was designed to simplify interactions between the public and government departments, reduce bureaucracy, and promote transparency.

Through eCitizen, users can apply for, pay for, and track services such as business registration, driving licences, passport applications, permits, certificates, and social services.

It also hosts services for government agencies like the Kenya Revenue Authority, Immigration Department, Huduma services, and the National Transport and Safety Authority.

The platform has become a critical tool for Kenyans seeking convenient access to public services, especially for those in remote areas. It supports both individual and corporate users, offering secure online payments, application tracking, and official communications from government agencies.

The eCitizen portal also collects official notices and updates from multiple ministries, providing a centralised source of information for the public.

In March, the platform announced a series of enhancements aimed at improving communication and the overall user experience.

The website, which provides access to government services, will begin displaying official notices, announcements, and commercial advertisements from approved partners.

The additions are intended to keep users better informed while supporting ongoing improvements to the platform.

“Access to government services will not be affected. All services will remain secure and reliable, and users' privacy will continue to be protected,” a statement from the platform said.