Kenya’s eCitizen School Fees Directive Sparks Heated Debate

eCitizen is at the centre of controversy in Kenya after Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang defended the government’s directive requiring parents to pay school fees through the platform. He argued that the system guarantees transparency, accountability, and convenience, allowing both parents and schools to trace payments seamlessly.

His defence came amid uproar over the platform’s safety, with critics citing reports of billions allegedly siphoned without accountability. The debate intensified after the Nairobi High Court ruled the directive unconstitutional, stressing that school fees are not government revenue and highlighting the lack of public participation in the decision.

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Justice Chacha Mwita further declared the KSh50 transaction fee illegal, terming it double taxation.

Despite the ruling, government officials continue to push for adoption of the eCitizen system, while parents, teachers, and civil society remain sharply divided over its future.

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