The Government is implementing a digital strategy to facilitate online application and payments of key services in the next six months, Deputy President William Ruto has said.
He said the e-government initiative culminating into cashless payment is a major transformation that will reduce costs, eliminate corruption and increase both efficiency and effectiveness.
"We are working on a digital payment platform in the next six months in all sectors of Government,’’ he said.
The Deputy President made the remarks yesterday when he presided over the launch of an online transactional mining portal at the Ministry of Mining headquarters.
He said the switch will enable Kenyans realise a 24-hour economy, which is envisioned in Kenya’s development blueprint Vision 2030.
He said the aim was to provide Kenyans seamless services in addition to giving them an opportunity to access Government services anytime at their convenience.
Ruto explained that services such as payment of land rates, renewal of driving licences and other remittances will be hosted on the platform.
“It will be possible for all Government payment services like land rates, passport fees and driving licences to be done through Mpesa, Airtel money, credit cards and any other mode on a digital platform,” said the Deputy President.
He stated: "Digital payment will eliminate fraud whereby people engage in shortcuts. It will also enhance Government revenue collection by 30 per cent," adding the Government had the support of Kenyans in driving this agenda forward.
The Deputy President observed that the project was a secure e-Government system through which companies and individuals will be able to administer their mineral rights online, a move aimed at taking management of mineral rights to the next level.
"The portal is a revolution-where mineral rights application are done real time, renewal open and tracked from anywhere in the world,” he said.
He pointed out that the portal will enable better, reliable and timely presentation of mining related information and greater efficiency through the reduction of paper based submissions.
He said Kenyans will make informed choices in regard to investing in the mining sector by accessing available online information and through other channels.
Present were the Principal Secretary for Mining Patrick Omutia and head DFID Kenya Lisa Phillips among other dignitaries.
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