Digital system of payment unveiled to prevent corruption

President Uhuru with Devolution and planning cabinet secretary Ann Waiguru

By ROSELYNE OBALA

 

Will the digital payment of transactions in government finally do away with — corruption — the monster that is deeply rooted across all sectors in the country?

The Jubilee government has moved in to seal off possible loopholes that civil servants capitalised on to perpetrate corruption in the public sector. The government acknowledges that corruption remains the biggest leakage and obstacle to development, and for the country to move forward, the ‘toll stations’ that provide avenues for graft must be wiped out completely.

The Huduma Centre programme is a new concept in Kenya, which focuses on competence, efficiency and gives no room for graft as has been the case in the past.

At this one-stop shop, the public will be able to access service delivery and acquire crucial government documents with ease.

The Jubilee government was elected on a platform of transformation and zero tolerance to corruption and months after its formation, President Uhuru Kenyatta is keen to deliver on his manifesto.

He has repeatedly emphasised the need for improved efficiency and competence in service delivery as the backbone to improving the country’s economy.

Risks tackled

“The risks associated with graft are being tackled in the new concept. The net effect of coming up with the one-stop business will be appreciated by Kenyans when they begin to understand its importance,” stated Devolution and Planning Principle Secretary (PS) Peter Mang’iti.

He explained that the public will be more informed and can report corrupt officers who try to solicit for bribes. “We have a police booth, anyone approached to part with ‘something’ in order to be served is at liberty to notify the authorities and swift action will be taken,” he explained.

He continued, “This is the best model  that addresses the challenges Kenyans have faced for years as the public was starved of services.”

Mang’iti noted that Kenyans have registered concerns on the obstacles and time spent obtaining government documents to the extent that many opted not to pursue them unless during crisis.

“We want to demystify this belief that obtaining any crucial document must be a hustle. Government is out to ensure quality service delivery to all irrespective of age, race and community,” he stressed.

The measures put in place by the President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto will see Kenyans save time and money in the process of obtaining driving licenses, duplication of IDs, National Hospital Insurance Fund cards and National Social Security Fund cards.

“We must change the way government operates. We must embrace servant leadership. This is a revolutionary project and the next is going digital,” noted the PS.

He continued, “In future we are going integrate all the documents to enable Kenyans accuse the documents with ease.”

The programme will bring on board stiff competence as all 10 government agencies in the pioneer launch will attempt to outsmart each other in service delivery.

“This concept will put pressure on all departments to improve quality their services,” he noted.

The second Phase is on and already government is scouting for suitable premises for the Nairobi center before rolling it to the counties. “We presently face with the challenge of identifying suitable infrastructure as already the National Centre is overwhelmed by clients seeking government services,” he registered his concern.

He added,“We will then spread to the 46 Counties starting with those within the former provincial headquarters.” Mang’iti said afterwards, that the government will extend to services to the smaller counties but all plans will be finalised within this financial year.

“The project will be rolled out to the counties with in the set time frame, this is not lip service but real action,” he affirmed. The cost for the launch was Sh35 million, which the PS argues is way below the initial budget.  “The net effect will be enormous, as in the past the departments were scattered and it took more time and money,” he explained.

Tomorrow, government will launch the Monitoring and Evaluation programme to track results of the projects already launched.