The proposed new rules governing eCitizen have opened a fresh debate in Parliament, with MPs pressing Treasury to explain who ultimately owns and controls the government’s digital services platform.
Lawmakers raised the issue on Thursday, August 27, 2026, as the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation reviewed the Public Finance Management (eCitizen System Management) Regulations, 2026, at Bunge Tower.
The committee, chaired by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, questioned whether the regulations provide a clear answer on the platform’s ownership while giving the National Treasury broad responsibility for its operations.
Under the proposed framework, Treasury would be responsible for hosting, administering and maintaining the system, as well as its core infrastructure and security.
Keiyo South MP Gideon Kimaiyo sought to establish whether the new regulations would put to rest the questions surrounding the platform’s ownership.
“Will these regulations cure that question of ownership because if it’s not curing then what’s the purpose of these regulations?” Kimaiyo asked.
Treasury officials said eCitizen was first developed by a private vendor before being handed over to the government in 2023. They told the committee that the platform is now managed internally by the National Treasury.
The MPs also turned their attention to the powers proposed for the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Treasury.
Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe questioned a provision allowing the Cabinet Secretary to issue policy direction and set standards for revenue collection through eCitizen.
“I think that is over-delegation because we want to know what those standards are and what the Minister should give,” Mugabe said.
Another area that came under scrutiny was the proposed composition of the eCitizen Steering Committee. The regulations allow the Cabinet Secretary to appoint additional members based on their representation, knowledge and skills.
Chepkonga called for the regulations to spell out clear qualifications for such appointments, saying this would help guard against the process being influenced by political considerations.
“I think it is in your interest that this should be amended and provide for qualifications,” he said.
The proposed regulations are intended to establish a formal framework for the governance and operation of eCitizen, which Treasury has listed among its 2026 public finance regulations.