Kenya Treasury proposes new regulations for eCitizen platform

The National Treasury has proposed the Public Finance Management (eCitizen System Management) Regulations, 2026, to establish a formal legal framework for the eCitizen digital services platform. The regulations aim to place the ownership, hosting, administration, and maintenance of the system under the direct control of the government through the National Treasury.

A key component of the proposal is the transition from convenience fees to formal access fees to fund the operation and management of the platform. During a review by the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation, lawmakers raised concerns regarding the extent of executive power. Specifically, MPs questioned provisions that would allow the Cabinet Secretary for Treasury to issue policy directions and set standards for revenue collection, with some describing it as ‘over-delegation’.

Legislators also sought clarity on the platform's ownership and the composition of a proposed eCitizen Steering Committee. Treasury officials noted that while the platform was originally developed by a private vendor, it has been managed internally by the National Treasury since 2023.