Buoyed by the success and the effectiveness of the Huduma Kenya centres, the government launched the e-citizen portal in August 2014. The eCitizen portal allows one to access Ministry of Lands, Immigration, KRA and other government departments including the NTSA. Payments for these services can be made through Safaricom’s Mobile Money service M-pesa.
To this effect, the department of immigration plans to roll out the service in application of passports in Kenya. The department published a notice on its website that read: “This is to inform the general public that as from 15 April 2015, all passport application will be made via www.ecitizen.go.ke. Manual application will not be accepted”. Other services accessible through the portal will include application for a visa and application for a work permit which will available soon.
To use the portal, one has to be registered which involves creation of an account. On submitting your ID number and first name, it fetches the details used to apply for the ID number. It then prompts to input your ID number, and on verification, prompts you to input your mobile phone number for which a code is sent to input and are done with the verification. The final stage involves adding a photo and you are set to go.
Other services accessible via the site include business name search and registration, various marriage related services from the AG’s office, application for a provisional driving license, driving test application and driving license renewal under the National Transport and Safety Authority. One can also access services such as searching for a Title deed, land rent clearance demand notice and payments under the Ministry of Land section in the portal.
