The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Thursday, August 10 announced temporary closure of its MPESA account in line with President William Ruto’s directive.
In a notice, the energy regulator asked its customers seeking to make any payments to use the bank option.
“Following the Government directive to have all government service payments through e-citizen, our MPESA payment option is deactivated.
Customers are advised to use the bank option as we integrate our Regulatory Management Information System with e-citizen.
EPRA added, “A system generated invoice is required to use the bank option.”
President William Ruto directed all government agencies to close their paybill numbers, with a deadline and instead use a single paybill number of 222 222.
Ruto Order on Paybill Numbers
On June 30, the President ordered the closure of more than 1,000 paybill accounts within 90 days.
According to the head of state, it was impossible to account for every cent, as the numerous accounts created avenues for revenue leakage.
Also Read: President Ruto Merges all Govt Paybill Numbers into One
“There is a dedicated government pay channel, 222222. The expectation of the government is that all government revenue must now use the pay channel so that Treasury can have sight of every government service that is paid for,” he explained.
“I am going to be making an announcement here that in the next 90 days, all other pay bills must be shut down because we have a problem with some of the Paybills that we cannot account for.
We have close to over 1,000 Paybills some of which we don’t have sight of. They must now be closed.”
He clarified that once the state collects revenue through the consolidated account, Treasury would then share out to respective ministries.
“If there is money going to a particular ministry, the Treasury will ensure that the cash goes to the respective ministry and agencies,” Ruto added.
Also Read: University Admission to Be on eCitizen After Ruto’s Directive
Over 1,000 Paybill numbers closed
On Monday, August 7, Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok announced that 1,448 Paybill numbers had been shut down. Furthermore, Bitok asked all government departments to comply with the President’s directive.
“Following the directive, 1,448 Paybills have been discontinued so far. Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are yet to comply with the directive are urged to do so without further delay,” he noted.
