Government explains why money collected from tourists was banked in Swiss accounts
Government explains why money collected from tourists was banked in Swiss accounts
The government has confirmed that money collected through the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) services was banked in Swiss accounts.
In a statement dated Monday, April 15, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura revealed that the eTA system was being implemented with a Swiss company.
He detailed that the service was being piloted, hence the move to bank the money there.
However, he noted that the banking of the money in foreign accounts had stopped given that the piloting programme had come to an end.
Currently, all the collections from eTA are deposited in the Consolidated Fund.
“There was a piloting phase for the eTA program, which was a collaboration between the Kenyan Government and a Swiss company,” read the statement in part.
“The piloting has been completed, and all payments are now made through eCitizen and remitted to the Consolidated Fund.”
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The statement by Mwaura came after various media houses reported that the Swiss company was paid billions for partnering with the government in implementing the eTA programme.
Notably, the reports raised concerns over accountability, given that the money had been banked abroad.
The eTA service was introduced after President William Ruto announced the visa-free programme. Since its inception, Kenya has collected billions from the tourists coming to Kenya.
“As of February 25, 2025, the total number of ETAs applied was 1,596,799, generating $50,568,810 (Ksh6.5 billion), out of which the service provider is entitled to $12,255,013.50 (Ksh1.5 billion),” Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen told Parliament.
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