Written by Kelly Were
The High Court has stopped the government’s rule that parents should pay school fees through the eCitizen platform, calling it unconstitutional.
Judge Chacha Mwita made the decision after Nakuru-based activist Magare Gikenyi and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) challenged the rule.
They argued that the government did not involve the public or other important groups in the decision.
This ruling follows a temporary halt of the rule in February 2024, while the case was being decided.
Lawyer Omochokoro O’mong’oni, who represented LSK, said the court found the Ministry of Education’s rule to be unfair and illegal.
In February 2024, President William Ruto had defended the rule, saying that using eCitizen to pay school fees and other government fees would continue.
He pointed out that reducing over 3,000 payment numbers to one had helped the government keep track of money and prevent theft.
The President also said the government was committed to fully switching to digital payments to stop misuse of public funds.
