Kenyans are set to pay double the current convenience fee as the National Treasury has proposed new charges on Kenya’s eCitizen platform, which could see some users pay twice the current fee for government services accessed online.
In a notice issued by the National Treasury and Economic Planning, the government has opened public participation on new draft regulations that could change how Kenyans are charged for services on the government’s eCitizen platform.
“Now, pursuant to Section 4 (a) and 5 (3) (a) and (b) of the Statutory Instruments Act, 2013, the National Treasury & Economic Planning invites members of the public to submit comments, inputs or memoranda they may have on the said draft Public Finance Management (E‑Citizen System Management) Regulations, 2026 in the format provided on the website,” the statement.
Treasury Plans to Scrap KSh50 eCitizen Convenience Fee
Under draft regulations titled the Public Finance Management (e-Citizen System Management) Regulations, 2026, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi proposes replacing the current flat KSh50 convenience fee with a tiered pricing model based on the value of the service.
The proposed structure would exempt transactions below KSh99 from any convenience charge. Services costing between KSh100 and KSh499 would incur a KSh5 fee, while transactions between KSh500 and KSh9,999 would continue to incur a KSh50 fee.
However, higher-value transactions would attract increased charges. Services valued between KSh10,000 and KSh99,999 would carry a KSh70 convenience fee, while transactions above KSh100,000 would attract a KSh100 charge.
The new structure breakdown is as follows;
| Service Cost | Proposed Convenience Fee |
| Below KSh99 | Free |
| KSh100 – KSh499 | KSh5 |
| KSh500 – KSh9,999 | KSh50 |
| KSh10,000 – KSh99,999 | KSh70 |
| Above KSh100,000 | KSh100 |
Also Read: CS Mbadi Faces Jail Over Ksh50 eCitizen Fee
What the New Proposal Means For Kenyans
For Kenyans, the proposed changes could lead to higher costs for accessing certain government services online, especially high-value applications processed through the eCitizen platform.
Ordinary passport applications are now limited to the 66-page booklet after the government phased out the 34-page and 50-page options.
The remaining passport category costs KSh12,500, placing it within the KSh10,000 to KSh99,999 bracket under the proposed regulations.
This means applicants would pay a KSh70 convenience fee instead of the current flat KSh50 charge.
While the increase may appear small on individual transactions, it adds to the rising cost of accessing key government services online.
The impact would be greater for services involving large transactions such as land payments and certain company registrations, where convenience charges would rise to KSh100 under the proposed system.
Also Read: Treasury Allocates KSh379.5 billion for Five Bottom-Up Key Clusters in Rutos 4th Budget
How eCitizen Convenience Fees Are Shared Across Government Systems
According to the National Treasury, payments made through the eCitizen platform are divided into separate components depending on the type of government service accessed online.
The main service fee paid by users is channeled to the ministry, department, agency, or county government providing the service.
These funds support services such as passport applications, licenses, permits, tax-related services, and other government administrative functions.
Additionally, as per the treasury, the funds help maintain and upgrade the platform and backend systems, while also supporting integration with payment channels such as M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Equitel, banks, cards, and other digital payment systems.
