The High Court has issued a temporary suspension of President William Ruto’s directive to migrate all state agency services to the eCitizen platform.
This ruling comes after a petition was filed by various civil society groups and stakeholders who raised concerns about the sudden shift and its potential negative impact on the public.
The directive, which was part of Ruto’s broader plan to digitize government services, aimed to consolidate all state services under eCitizen to improve efficiency and accessibility.
The eCitizen platform, launched in 2014, has enabled Kenyans to access numerous government services online, including passport applications, business registration, and paying for various permits. The plan to expand the platform was seen as a step toward modernizing the public service sector.
However, several concerns were raised by petitioners regarding the migration process.
They argued that the transition could leave behind large sections of the population who do not have access to the internet, especially in rural areas, or those who lack digital literacy.
Additionally, critics pointed out that the shift might complicate service delivery for those without access to the necessary technological resources.
The court agreed to suspend the directive pending further review, citing the need for adequate consultation and preparation.
It emphasized the importance of public participation in the decision-making process and ensuring that the digital transformation does not exclude marginalized communities.
While the government has expressed its commitment to enhancing digital services, the ruling has raised questions about the readiness of Kenya’s infrastructure to support a nationwide migration to eCitizen.
The court’s decision has sparked a broader debate on how to balance technological advancement with inclusivity.
By Kenyans