eCitizen Kenya: Kenya’s Easy-to-Use Government Portal
eCitizen Kenya helps people get government services online. The government and tech companies built it together. Since it started, many people use it. But some have concerns too. This article explains eCitizen in simple terms.
How eCitizen Works Today
First, a tech company in Nairobi made the system. They got help from an international group called IFC. Then in 2013, the government liked the idea. After that, they worked together to grow it.
Before eCitizen Kenya
The same tech company did other projects first. For instance, they made the Foreign Affairs website better. They also helped put national records online.
The Big Year: 2013
To begin with, President Kenyatta wanted more online services. Fortunately, this tech was ready. As a result, eCitizen was born.
How eCitizen Kenya Works Today
Three companies run different parts. These are:
- Web Masters Kenya – looks after the website
- Pesaflow – handles money payments
- Olive Tree – sends text messages
At the start, payments used Gold Rock. Now, they use a government system.
About the Small Fee
People pay 50 shillings per use. This money keeps eCitizen working. Importantly, taxes don’t pay for it. The government gets the money first. Then later, they pay the companies.
Who Controls eCitizen?
Recent Changes
In 2023, the government took full control. Currently, Web Masters has a 3-year deal.
The Three Key Ministries
- Interior – deals with contracts
- ICT – handles computer systems
- Treasury – manages money
Adding New Services on eCitizen Kenya
Firstly, workers get training. After that, their own teams take over. This way, everything stays safe.
Keeping Information Safe on eCitizen Kenya
All data stays on government computers. Web Masters doesn’t keep people’s details. Instead, they check IDs through other government systems.
Stopping Hackers
They use strong protection like:
- Firewalls
- Anti-attack tools
- Secret codes
Some people said hackers got in. Actually, it was just a short attack. No information was taken.
What’s Next?
To sum it up, eCitizen makes life easier for Kenyans. However, people still talk about the fees. Therefore, being open will keep trust high.
