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Court Halts eCitizen School Fee Payment Order
The High Court in Nairobi Wednesday issued a temporary injunction halting a recent government directive mandating parents to pay school fees through the eCitizen platform. Justice Chacha Mwita issued the order, suspending the circular by Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang until further directions are issued on February 13, 2024.
The decision came in response to a petition filed by Nakuru doctor Magare Gikenyi, who argued that the directive was illegal and violated principles of good governance. He expressed concern that parents in rural areas, accustomed to paying fees through alternative methods like bartering with agricultural produce, would be unfairly disadvantaged by the mandatory eCitizen system.
Dr. Gikenyi’s petition challenged the circular issued on January 31st, 2024, which required all national schools to share their bank account details with the State Department for Education by February 6th. This directive aligned with a broader government initiative led by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, aiming to onboard all government services onto the eCitizen platform and introduce access fees for each service, effective December 14th, 2023.
Justice Mwita’s ruling suspends this mandatory eCitizen payment system for school fees until the court issues further directions on February 13th.
City Hall Makes History as Africa’s First Green-Certified Government Building
Nairobi’s City Hall has achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the first government building in Africa to be certified as a green building by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC). This landmark achievement marks a significant step forward in Nairobi’s journey towards becoming a more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient city.
“This certification is an important milestone in Nairobi’s green city development,” said IFC Africa, highlighting the transformative potential of the initiative. The accolade recognizes City Hall’s commitment to sustainable practices, which are not only environmentally responsible but also contribute to cost savings and improved occupant well-being.
Applauding Nairobi’s leadership, Kenya Green Building Society CEO Nasra Nanda emphasized the broader impact of this achievement. “Nairobi has set a new standard for urban development in Africa,” she said.
Nairobi’s governor, Sakaja Johnson, expressed his gratitude to all those who contributed to this remarkable accomplishment. “I want to thank everyone who made this possible,” he said at a ceremony commemorating the occasion.
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