Gov’t Struggles To Clarify Ksh6.5 Billion Diverted To Swiss Account From E-Citizen
The government has released a statement in response to a Daily Nation report on Monday, April 14, saying that billions of shillings in money received from foreign visitors to the nation were improperly routed into Swiss accounts.
The Daily Nation‘s exposé stated that Ksh6.5 billion in money from the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) project had been questionably routed to a Swiss account, drawing parallels to the infamous 2014 Eurobond scandal.
However, in a statement issued on Monday, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura emphasized that the Swiss transactions were part of the ETA programme’s piloting phase, as part of the government’s intentions to strengthen strategic ties with the Swiss corporation.
“There was a piloting phase for the ETA programme, which was a collaboration between the Kenyan government and a Swiss company,” the government spokesperson said, adding that the piloting phase was done.
CLARIFICATION!
— Spokesperson GoK (@SpokespersonGoK) April 14, 2025
There was a piloting phase for the ETA program, which was a collaboration between the Kenyan Government and a Swiss company. The piloting has been completed, and all payments are now made through eCitizen and remitted to the Consolidated Fund. https://t.co/SfrDFSVAvQ
According to the article, the government contracted the Swiss firm to handle the eTA system for six months, collecting Ksh6.5 billion between August 2024 and February 2025.
According to the report, the firm received Ksh1.5 billion for its services, accounting for around 23% of its entire revenue.
The report also expressed concern over the government’s choice to allow a foreign corporation to collect and store public funds, notably outside Kenya’s Consolidated Fund.
However, according to a government official, this was only a pilot experiment that has now been completed.
Mwaura’s statement added, “The piloting has been completed, and all payments are now made through eCitizen and remitted to the Consolidated Fund.”
The clarification comes amid growing concerns about the Kenyan government’s relationship with Switzerland, notably following explosive charges made by former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi.
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Muturi alleged that President William Ruto had pressured him to approve a Ksh130 billion grant from foreign donors.
This move, according to Muturi, would have been outside legal frameworks set by the Public Finance Management Act, and that is why he turned down the request.
The report by Daily Nation further highlighted another concerning issue regarding government funds that are being kept outside the Consolidated Fund, which is a violation of constitutional and financial regulations designed to ensure transparency.
As per Article 206(1) of the constitution, “There is established a Consolidated Fund into which shall be paid all money raised or received by or on behalf of the national government,” except in special circumstances.
Gov’t Struggles To Clarify Ksh6.5 Billion Diverted To Swiss Account From E-Citizen
