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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 27427, member: 2262"] Kenya's government told lawmakers it completely controls the eCitizen online platform, where people pay for services. Immigration boss Julius Bitok spoke to a group of lawmakers led by Gabriel Tongoyo. He said the government keeps all documents that prove it controls this system. Bitok made clear they had nothing to hide about eCitizen or any deals with tech companies that help run it. "The government has a real contract for eCitizen that the Attorney General approved," Bitok explained to the committee. He described how three different parts of government handle the system. His department adds new services, another agency runs the website, and the Treasury collects the money. Bitok also explained why users pay an extra Sh50 fee for each transaction on the site. Lawmaker Joseph Kahangara had asked what happens to that money from each payment. When talking about the new travel system that replaced visas, Bitok said security agencies would guide how they buy what they need because national safety matters. He mentioned that visitor numbers have gone up 20 percent since President William Ruto made Kenya visa-free last year. Other important officials came with Bitok to the meeting, including eCitizen boss Isaac Ochieng and immigration chief Evelyn Cheluget. Just yesterday, Treasury official Chris Kiptoo defended making schools collect fees through eCitizen. He said the system has legal backing and helps collect money more effectively. The government continues pushing more services onto this digital platform despite questions from some lawmakers. [/QUOTE]

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