Kenya launches online payment platform to enhance service efficiency

Kenyan President William Ruto on Friday launched the government’s digital payment platform to help enhance efficiency and inclusivity in service delivery.

Ruto said the Digital Government Services, dubbed “Gava Mkononi” (government on touch), will enable Kenyans to access more than 5,000 government services online since the system eliminates inefficiency, corruption, wastage, and discrimination inherent in human interactions.

The services will also be available on the eCitizen platform’s USSD code *2222#, which the National Treasury will manage, and Gava Express will provide services at the grassroots to those who do not have smartphones, said Ruto, calling on Kenyans to take advantage of digital training opportunities provided by the state-owned Information and Communication Technology Authority targeting 20 million people.

The president noted that the remaining government services will be digitized in 90 days. During the same period, the government will roll out digital identification documents, Ruto said, adding that no government service will be paid in cash next month.

Eliud Owalo, cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy, said the free Wi-Fi project has been extended to markets and County Industrial Parks to enhance e-commerce.