Court Suspends Payment Of Fees via eCitizen

The High Court has suspended the Ministry of Education’s circular requiring school fees in National schools to be paid via the eCitizen platform.

Justice Chacha Mwita issued the interim orders on Wednesday, February 7 following a petition filed by Dr. Magare Gikenyi.

The High Court judge said the orders will remain in place until February 13, 2024, when the court will issue further directions.

“That an interim conservatory order is hereby issued suspending the Circular or letter by the Principal Secretary (Belio R Kipsang), Ministry of Education dated 31st January 2024, requiring parents/Guardians and or students to pay fees and or any other levies for all government learning institutions through e-citizen platform or any other Digital platform(s) until 13th February 2024, when the court will issue further directions in this petition,” Justice Mwita stated.

The court order comes after President Ruto said payment of school fees through the eCitizen platform is unstoppable.

Speaking in Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday Ruto vowed to crush any resistance from cartels.

“Cash payments are prone to abuse and we want to reduce and eventually end them,” the Head of State said.

Education PS Belio Kipsang last week directed all National schools to submit their banking details to the Ministry to facilitate the payment of fees through the eCitizen platform by February 6, 2024.

He noted that the move would be in line with the government's agenda of onboarding all government services onto the e-Citizen platform to enhance service delivery.