{"id":844763,"date":"2025-04-30T17:12:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T22:12:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/30\/follow-the-money-how-swiss-firm-collected-sh6-6b-in-kenyas-eta-rollout\/"},"modified":"2025-04-30T17:12:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T22:12:11","slug":"follow-the-money-how-swiss-firm-collected-sh6-6b-in-kenyas-eta-rollout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/30\/follow-the-money-how-swiss-firm-collected-sh6-6b-in-kenyas-eta-rollout\/","title":{"rendered":"Follow the money: How Swiss firm collected Sh6.6B in Kenya\u2019s ETA rollout"},"content":{"rendered":"<section>\n<section>14 April 2025 at 3:39<\/section>\n<section><span>The Ruto-led government\u2019s ETA rollout saw a Swiss firm collect billions before the system was handed over.<\/span><\/section>\n<figure><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"><source  media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"><img alt=\"A plane at JKIA runway\" fetchpriority=\"high\" loading=\"eager\" width=\"800\" height=\"480\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/image.api.sportal365.com\/process\/smp-images-production\/pulselive.co.ke\/27092024\/5909aeb7-c52c-42a3-a1ec-6b90cc3d73a0?operations=autocrop(800:480)\"><\/picture><figcaption>A plane at JKIA runway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section>\n<section>\n<section>\n<p>The Kenyan government has collected over $50 million (approximately Sh6.6 billion) from the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system since it replaced visa requirements for international travellers on January 1, 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen made the disclosure while appearing before Parliament to respond to questions regarding the system&#8217;s implementation, financials, and impact.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h3>The ETA System Explained<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>The ETA system was introduced following President William Ruto\u2019s directive to make Kenya a visa-free destination.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section><span>Recommended For You<\/span><\/section>\n<section>\n<section>\n<section>\n<section>\n<p><span data-category=\"business\">Business<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section><span>2025-03-19T08:48:41+00:00<\/span><\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pulselive.co.ke\/articles\/business\/how-to-add-music-to-whatsapp-status-duration-restrictions-and-copyright-info-2025031908484159650\"><\/p>\n<h3>How to add music to WhatsApp status &#8211; Duration, restrictions &#038; copyright info<\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span>With the new WhatsApp feature, users can search for a specific song or artist or choose from a list of trending tracks available in their country<\/span><\/section>\n<figure>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pulselive.co.ke\/articles\/business\/how-to-add-music-to-whatsapp-status-duration-restrictions-and-copyright-info-2025031908484159650\"><img alt=\"Whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/image.api.sportal365.com\/process\/\/smp-images-production\/pulselive.co.ke\/19032025\/3893503b-cf92-42e0-8e04-d4c60158e51c.jpg?operations=autocrop(340:210)\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<section>\n<section>\n<section>\n<p><span data-category=\"news\">News<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section><span>2025-03-19T08:33:29+00:00<\/span><\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pulselive.co.ke\/articles\/news\/ndindi-nyoros-big-dilemma-that-could-cement-or-shatter-his-future-2025031908332990091\"><\/p>\n<h3>Ndindi Nyoro\u2019s big dilemma that could cement or shatter his future<\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span>Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, a rising force in Mount Kenya politics, is at a defining moment in his career following his abrupt removal as chair of the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee.<\/span><\/section>\n<figure>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pulselive.co.ke\/articles\/news\/ndindi-nyoros-big-dilemma-that-could-cement-or-shatter-his-future-2025031908332990091\"><img alt=\"Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro in his office\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/image.api.sportal365.com\/process\/\/smp-images-production\/pulselive.co.ke\/19032025\/4f751c0d-32da-4187-9bdc-65dbd9386960.jpg?operations=autocrop(340:210)\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<section>\n<section>\n<section>\n<p><span data-category=\"business\">Business<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section><span>2025-03-18T15:33:24+00:00<\/span><\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pulselive.co.ke\/articles\/business\/4-key-focus-areas-for-safaricoms-3-day-engineering-summit-2025031815332470804\"><\/p>\n<h3>4 key focus areas for Safaricom&#8217;s 3-day Engineering Summit<\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span>The three-day forum will bring together over 10,000 young persons<\/span><\/section>\n<figure>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pulselive.co.ke\/articles\/business\/4-key-focus-areas-for-safaricoms-3-day-engineering-summit-2025031815332470804\"><img alt=\"Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/image.api.sportal365.com\/process\/\/smp-images-production\/pulselive.co.ke\/18032025\/bc0fc14c-46ce-405e-b9f0-cb9d5453c664.jpg?operations=autocrop(340:210)\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>It serves as a pre-arrival screening tool that allows eligible visitors to apply online before traveling to Kenya.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<figure><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"><source  media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"><img alt=\"Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/image.api.sportal365.com\/process\/\/smp-images-production\/pulselive.co.ke\/22022025\/f3a69bce-2221-4bcf-ad28-e292f3537f03.jpg?operations=fit(1042:)\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n<section>\n<p>Murkomen clarified that the State Department for Citizen Services initially engaged a Public public-private partnership (PPP) consortium to implement the system on a pilot basis from January 4, 2024, to March 8, 2025.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>The two firms involved were Travizory Border Security SA (a Swiss firm) and Konvergenz Network Solutions (a Kenyan company).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h3>During this period:<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>1,596,799 ETA applications were processed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>The government collected $50,568,810 in total revenue.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>The private consortium received $12,255,013 as their share.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>The standard ETA fee was $30, with $8.50 going to the service provider.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h3>Shift to Government-Controlled ETA<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>On March 9, 2025, the Ministry fully localised the system and integrated it into the eCitizen platform, ending the pilot phase and third-party involvement.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Since the transition, 38,634 ETA applications had already been processed via eCitizen by March 25.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<figure><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"><source  media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"><img alt=\"Kenya\u2019s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/image.api.sportal365.com\/process\/\/smp-images-production\/pulselive.co.ke\/19122024\/0be007c4-77e4-4818-b70a-066ac775c2e0.jpg?operations=fit(1042:)\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n<section>\n<p>Data from the pilot phase was successfully transferred to Nyayo House to ensure compliance with Kenya&#8217;s Data Protection Act and global data security standards.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Murkomen noted that the move to a localised platform followed a conscious decision to avoid entering a long-term contract with the private consortium.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>\u00a0\u201cWe appreciate the pilot team for their support, but for sustainability and data security, the government now solely manages the ETA system,\u201d he told MPs.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h3>Impact on Tourism and Business Travel<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>According to the Kenya Tourism Board\u2019s 2024 Annual Report, the ETA system, among other factors, contributed to a 15% increase in international arrivals, with 2.4 million tourists visiting Kenya.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Corresponding tourism revenues rose by 19.79% to Sh452.2 billion.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Murkomen emphasised that the streamlined and digitised ETA process has enhanced security, reduced bottlenecks at ports of entry, and contributed to an improved visitor experience.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h3>Data Hosting and Privacy Concerns<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Responding to questions about where travellers\u2019 data was hosted during the pilot phase, Murkomen admitted that it was initially hosted outside the country by Travizory.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>However, he assured MPs that all the data had since been migrated to government servers in Kenya.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<figure><picture><source  media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"><source  media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"><img alt=\"JKIA international arrivals terminal\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/image.api.sportal365.com\/process\/\/smp-images-production\/pulselive.co.ke\/26112024\/4c84b104-53df-4543-a65e-ae741eb7a5ac.jpg?operations=fit(1042:)\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n<section>\n<p><i>\u201cThe eCitizen platform is certified for data protection, and we are fully compliant with the law,\u201d <\/i>Murkomen stated.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h3>ETA Policy  Review<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>One of the key criticisms raised by lawmakers was that the ETA fees, especially for nationals from previously visa-exempt countries, appeared to undermine Kenya\u2019s foreign policy on free movement.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>In response, Murkomen announced that the Cabinet had resolved to exempt African nationals and citizens from countries with reciprocal visa-free agreements from paying the ETA fee.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p><i>\u201cPeople felt that travellers who previously entered for free were now unfairly charged. We\u2019ve rectified that by waiving ETA fees for all African countries, unless specific security concerns arise,\u201d <\/i>the CS explained.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Kenya\u2019s pivot to a visa-free policy backed by the ETA system marks a significant shift in how the country manages international travel, with revenue and tourism growth as early indicators of success.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>\u00a0While initial concerns over foreign data handling and fees for African travellers sparked debate, the government&#8217;s localisation of the system and fee exemptions appear to have realigned the project with Kenya\u2019s diplomatic and data sovereignty goals.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section><span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pulselive.co.ke\/business\">Business<\/a><\/span><\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h3>Subscribe to receive daily news updates.<\/h3>\n<section><label for=\"accept-terms\">Accept  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pulselive.co.ke\/terms-and-conditions\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Read our Terms and Conditions\">Terms<\/a> and  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pulselive.co.ke\/privacy-policy\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Read our Privacy Policy\">Privacy Policy<\/a><\/label><\/section>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p> Denis Mwangi<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pulselive.co.ke\/articles\/business\/follow-the-money-how-swiss-firm-collected-sh66b-in-kenyas-eta-rollout-2025041404321336289\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>14 April 2025 at 3:39 The Ruto-led government\u2019s ETA rollout saw a Swiss firm collect billions before the system was handed over. A plane at JKIA runway The Kenyan government has collected over $50 million (approximately Sh6.6 billion) from the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system since it replaced visa requirements for international travellers on January<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":844764,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27813,1410],"tags":[15700,6271],"class_list":{"0":"post-844763","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-follow","8":"category-money","9":"tag-follow","10":"tag-money"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/844763","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=844763"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/844763\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/844764"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=844763"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=844763"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=844763"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}