Meta Description: Kenyan government refutes allegations of diverting Ksh6.5 billion from the eTA programme to Swiss accounts, citing a pilot phase with a Swiss firm. Learn more about the clarification.
Government Responds to Allegations of Diverting eTA Funds to Swiss Accounts
The Kenyan government has refuted claims made in a recent exposé by Daily Nation alleging that Ksh6.5 billion in revenue collected from the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) programme was secretly diverted to Swiss bank accounts. The report likened the situation to the controversial 2014 Eurobond saga.
In a statement issued on April 14, 2025, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura clarified that the Swiss transactions were part of a pilot programme designed to enhance strategic partnerships with a Swiss firm contracted to manage the eTA system.
Pilot Programme Explained
Mwaura detailed that the eTA pilot, conducted between August 2024 and February 2025, was a collaboration between the Kenyan government and the Swiss company. During this period, the firm managed the system and collected Ksh6.5 billion in revenue, earning Ksh1.5 billion (approximately 23%) for their services.
“The piloting phase has concluded, and all payments are now processed through eCitizen and directly remitted to the Consolidated Fund,” Mwaura stated, addressing concerns about revenue management during the pilot period.
Allegations of Financial Mismanagement
The Daily Nation report raised concerns about why a foreign firm was allowed to collect and manage public funds, especially outside the government’s Consolidated Fund, a potential breach of Article 206(1) of Kenya’s Constitution. The article mandates that all government revenue must be deposited into the Consolidated Fund unless under special circumstances.
The exposé also touched on explosive claims by former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, who alleged that President William Ruto pressured him to approve a Ksh130 billion foreign grant. Muturi claimed he rejected the request, citing non-compliance with the Public Finance Management Act.
Government’s Assurance
The government insists that the eTA pilot was conducted within legal frameworks and assures citizens that revenue from the programme now complies with constitutional and financial regulations. “The piloting has ended, and any funds raised are being managed transparently,” Mwaura reiterated.
Transparency Demands
The controversy has sparked public debate, with citizens and watchdog groups calling for heightened transparency in government financial dealings. Allegations of funds being managed outside the Consolidated Fund continue to fuel skepticism, demanding stricter oversight of international partnerships.
