Kenya, July 23 -- The National Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo to address irregularities with the E-Citizen platform, as funds collected fail to reach Treasury accounts at the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).

The committee, chaired by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, criticised the National Treasury for ignoring Auditor General Nancy Gathungu's recommendations to streamline the platform's operations.

The summons, issued on July 22, 2025, follows reports that billions collected through E-Citizen, a key government service payment portal, are unaccounted for, raising concerns about transparency and fiscal accountability.

The E-Citizen platform, launched to centralise government payments for services like marriage certificates, passport applications, and business permits, has been plagued by systemic weaknesses.

Auditor General Gathungu's reports highlight recurring audit issues, including the failure to deposit collected funds into CBK accounts, as mandated by law. The PAC faulted Kiptoo for not implementing recommendations to enhance efficiency and ensure proper revenue reporting, noting that these lapses have persisted across multiple state agencies.

In 2023, Gathungu flagged the State Law Office for not submitting marriage fee reports, underscoring a lack of effective internal controls, a problem that continues to undermine the platform's credibility.

Kiptoo, appointed by President William Ruto in December 2022, has been at the forefront of fiscal consolidation and revenue mobilisation efforts, including managing Kenya's Eurobond and state-owned enterprise reforms.

However, his absence from key parliamentary meetings has drawn ire. The PAC's summons follows Kiptoo's failure to attend three prior invitations, including a December 2024 session on the Sh100 million Inua Jamii budget cut, where he sent Treasury Director Johnah Wala instead.

MPs, including Thika Town's Alice Ng'ang'a, invoked Article 125 of the Constitution, warning that Kiptoo risks arrest or a Sh500,000 fine for non-compliance.

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi called Kiptoo "notorious" for dodging parliamentary oversight, a sentiment echoed on X with posts like "Chris Kiptoo must explain missing E-Citizen billions."

The controversy deepens with allegations of mismanagement tied to E-Citizen's operations. A November 2024 report linked Kiptoo to a disputed Ksh.120 million software deal for an online propaganda platform, which he denied, calling the claims "unfounded" and demanding a retraction.

The PAC's latest probe questions whether E-Citizen's revenue, estimated at Ksh.44.8 billion in 2024, is being siphoned off due to weak oversight.

Transparency International Kenya has raised concerns about potential illicit financial flows, while X users, like @MzalendoWatch, demand a national audit of the platform's accounts.

The lack of quarterly revenue reports and untraceable funds has fueled public distrust, especially amid Kenya's 7.5% GDP budget deficit and Sh10.9 trillion public debt.

Kiptoo's defenders argue his economic expertise, honed at the CBK, IMF, and Trade Mark East Africa, positions him to address these challenges. His 2023 budget briefing emphasized realistic tax policies to lower living costs, yet critics argue his failure to address E-Citizen's flaws undermines these goals.

The platform's inefficiencies, such as delays in service delivery and unremitted funds, affect Kenyans seeking essential documents, with rural users particularly impacted.

The PAC's summons aligns with broader calls for accountability, as seen in hashtags.

Online Trends shows rising searches for "Chris Kiptoo E-Citizen funds mismanagement" and "Auditor General Kenya 2025," reflecting public demand for clarity.

The summons also highlights tensions between Parliament and the Treasury, with MPs like Hillary Kosgey accusing Kiptoo of contempt for delegating junior officers.

The committee seeks detailed explanations on why funds bypass CBK accounts and how Kiptoo plans to implement Gathungu's recommendations.

With Kenya facing economic pressures, including high fuel taxes and stalled infrastructure projects, the E-Citizen controversy risks further eroding public trust.

As Kiptoo prepares to face MPs, the outcome could shape perceptions of Ruto's administration, already under fire for protest-related violence and abductions.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.