Directive on eCitizen will hurt operations of some agencies

The request by the government for the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI) to integrate its payment system into the eCitizen platform is neither in good faith nor acceptable. This directive, announced by President William Ruto on November 28, 2024, during the first anniversary of the eCitizen platform, gave agencies like KNDI a one-week ultimatum to comply.

Failure to do so, the President warned, would result in disciplinary action. While the government emphasised the need for transparency in revenue collection and better service delivery, the mandate has sparked concerns about its impact on professional autonomy and the operational stability of self-sustaining regulatory bodies like KNDI. 
KNDI operates independently, with no financial support from the government. Despite this, it has established a solid operational framework, funding its activities and providing regulatory services to nutritionists and dieticians nationwide. Directing KNDI to shift to the eCitizen platform creates additional costs and technical challenges, which are impractical without financial or infrastructural support from the government.

Unlike other government-funded entities that benefit from centralised systems, KNDI’s operational independence is both a strength and a vulnerability. The lack of direct government funding means it cannot afford the costs associated with integrating its payment systems without significant disruptions to its operations. Furthermore, this move could lead to additional bureaucratic hurdles, slowing down the responsiveness and efficiency that KNDI has worked hard to maintain.

This directive has also raised questions about the government’s priorities in addressing systemic issues within the nutrition sector. For years, nutritionists have grappled with problems such as unpaid internships, overlapping roles between KNDI and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and limited recognition of nutrition’s role in healthcare policy. These challenges continue to undermine the growth and development of the profession but remain unaddressed, even as the government pushes for digitisation under the eCitizen.

For instance, thousands of nutrition graduates are currently in unpaid internships, struggling to meet the basic needs of professional training. These unpaid internships are a stark reminder of the gap between government rhetoric on job creation and the reality faced by young professionals in the field. Additionally, the overlapping roles between KNDI and KEBS have created confusion and inefficiencies in setting standards and enforcing regulations. Rather than resolving these issues, the government appears more focused on centralising revenue collection, leaving many in the sector feeling sidelined.

The lack of consultation with KNDI before issuing this directive further demonstrates a top-down approach that disregards the unique needs and challenges of professional bodies. For an organisation like KNDI, which has consistently demonstrated transparency through annual general meetings and detailed financial reports, being forced to adopt a government-controlled system raises concerns about overreach and the erosion of its autonomy.

Stakeholder engagement is critical in crafting policies that are both effective and sustainable. A collaborative approach that involves input from KNDI and other professional bodies would not only ensure smoother implementation but also foster trust between the government and these entities. Unfortunately, the unilateral nature of this directive has left many feeling alienated.

Mr Omollo is the President of the Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Students Association