Refugees and foreigners living in Kenya have a right to access essential public services offered by the national and county governments. The government of Kenya has a single online access-point for all government services. The online platform known as eCitizen is meant to make application for services easy and quick. The eCitizen portal is the primary portal for accessing more than 16,000 government services. The portal was was launched in 2014 to support citizens, visiting foreign nationals, and residents who are non-Kenyans and refugees. Some of the common services accessible on eCitizen include:

  • Application for community group registration
  • Business registration for Kenyans, refugees and foreigners
  • Application for birth certificates
  • Driving and driving license application
  • Application for a certificate of good conduct or police clearance
  • Application for marriage certificates
  • Filing tax returns and other Kenya Revenue Authority services amongst others.

One is required to create and account on eCitizen using their identification documents. Kenyan citizens are required to use their National ID, residents use Alien ID, visiting foreign nationals use valid passport while refugees use Refugee ID. The platform also offers a payment system, allowing users to pay for the services via mobile money (M-Pesa), credit cards, and bank transfers.

Benefits of an eCitizen Account

E-Citizen platform has made life easier for people to access different services at once under one stop shop:

  • Convenience: The platform being online, users are able to access services anytime regardless of the time zone differences, from anywhere, avoiding queues and unnecessary paperwork.
  • Tracking: Allows users to track the status of their applications, fostering transparency in service delivery.
  • Cost effective: Reduces travel and administrative costs, as users can complete transactions online.
  • Facilitates faster processing of services like applying for permits, passports, ID renewal, birth certificates, and business registration.

Eligibility Criteria for an eCitizen Account

To qualify for an eCitizen account in Kenya, refugees, foreigners and citizens must meet the following criteria:

  • One must be 18 years of age and above.
  • Kenyan citizens are required to have a valid national Identification Card (ID)
  • Refugees must have a recognized Refugee ID or Alien Card.
  • Foreign residents need a valid Foreign National ID issued by Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services.
  • Diplomats require a diplomatic ID issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Kenya.
  • A valid mobile phone number and email address are required for account verification and notifications from the eCitizen portal.
  • One must be computer literate and be able to read and write in English to use the portal on their own. In most towns and local market centres in Kenya, some private business provide computers for accessing the internet and support with these services at a fee.

The platform provides for a comprehensive directory listing all services offered by the government. Services are listed under specific national and county government department or ministries.

Step-by-step guide on how to create an eCitizen account as a refugee in Kenya

To create an eCitizen account for as a refugee in Kenya, follow the steps below. You must have:

  • A Refugee Identity Card issued by the Kenyan Government (Department of Refugee Affairs or UNHCR) to use as identification.

Step 1: Visit the eCitizen Website, and go to the eCitizen Portal.

Step 2: Register your account by choosing ‘Refugee’ under the account types.

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Provide your Refugee ID Number and other required details (email, phone number, etc.) and follow the prompts.

Step 3: Verification of your account details

You will receive a text message from ‘ECITIZEN’ with a six-digit code that you will type on the portal to verify your account. The verification code will also be sent to the email account used to register on the portal.

Step 4: Activate Your Account

This is the last step. Once you have verified your account, the sytem will activate your profile on the portal. You can then search and access services such as permits, licenses, and other services provided to refugees.

FOR KENYANS:

  1. Visit the eCitizen Website: Go to the eCitizen Portal. On the platform, on your right-hand side, Click on the green button ‘Register.’ to proceed.undefined.jfif
  2. Click Create Account and select Kenyan Citizen. After clicking on ‘Register’, select the type of account to proceed with the procedure. For Kenyan Citizens, select the citizen category and fill in the details i.e., first name, ID number, and year of birth and follow the prompts. Ensure the details are correct before clicking the validate button.undefined (2).png
  3. Input your email address and phone number: Once the validation is done, your full name will appear together with the ID; go ahead and fill the correct contact details i.e valid phone number (start with +254...) and the email address then follow the prompts.
  4. Verification: eCitizen requires everyone to verify their identity by using a one-time password (verification code) which is either sent via email or sms. Enter the verification code to complete the registration.
  5. Create a password and agree to the terms: After entering the one-time password that has been sent to you, click on the next step to create a strong password of your own choice as per the instructions.
  6. Upload a Passport of Yourself & Agree to the Terms of Service: At this stage, an individual is required to upload a passport photograph that will help in consolidating individual biodata. Agreeing to the terms of service also confirms that you abide by the terms and conditions set out by the Government of Kenya regarding this application.
  7. Activate Your Account: Once verified, log in to your account to access various government service you need.

Creating an eCitizen Account as a Diplomat in Kenya

Accessing the eCitizen portal in Kenya as a diplomat requires a slightly different approach from the standard process for citizens or foreign residents.

Diplomats in Kenya can create an account on the eCitizen portal by selecting the option specifically for diplomats on the registration page.

Requirements for a diplomat eCitizen account

To register, diplomats need to have:

  • A diplomatic ID issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Kenya.
  • Access to a valid email address and phone number for verification and communications.
  • Internet access.

Services accessible to Diplomats on eCitizen

  • Immigration Services
  • Motor vehicle registration,
  • Visa applications, and other government services.

NB: Some services may still require in-person visits to specific government offices, depending on the type of application.

Creating an eCitizen account as a Foreigner in Kenya
To create an account as a foreign resident, go to the eCitizen website and follow the steps below:

  • On the homepage, click on "Create Account."
  • Choose the Foreign Residents option. This category is for foreign nationals living in Kenya who have a Foreign National ID issued by the Directorate of Immigration Services.
  • Enter Required details and follow the prompts.
  • Provide other required details, such as your email address and a secure password, which will be used to access your account.

Read more about the government services mapped on our Julisha.Info service maps by clicking on the links below:

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