Govt clarifies payment of secondary fees via eCitizen portal

Government e-Citizen portal. [David Gichuru, Standard]

The government has clarified that the directive for secondary fees to be paid through the eCitizen platform is aimed at harmonizing the collection of school fees and promoting transparency and accountability.

In a press statement on Monday, February 5, Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok added that the platform also entrenches an effective monitoring system on compliance with relevant policies and regulations governing levying of fees in public schools.

"The Directorate of eCitizen has set up a payment collection process that is convenient and transparent to ensure that principals will be able to access funds received for their schools promptly and in full," the statement read in part.

At the same time, the PS stated that the new payment system will be implemented in phases beginning with National schools and subsequently extending to Extra County and County schools.

"The implementation of the payment process through the platform will be undertaken in consultation with stakeholders," he added.

The government insists that it is open to discussions and other inputs that will support the objectives of the directive.

Last week, the Ministry of Education directed all parents or guardians whose learners are in national schools to make payments through the platform.

This is in line with the government's directive to consolidate all platforms through the pay bill number 222222.