NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 9 – The government on Friday launched a mobile phone service to track service delivery of all public institutions.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga who launched the E-Service at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre said the new technology was intended to improve service delivery as well as create efficiency in all government institutions.
"It is a project that will enable the public to access key government services through mobile telephones. It will allow the public to ask questions and obtain real time feedback regarding requirements, cost and status of processing of provision of the most frequently demanded services," he said.
The new service which will cost Sh5 also enable users to raise complaints over delays in issuance of National Identity Cards and Passports.
Mr Odinga said by sending a Short Messaging Service (SMS) to 2031 and 2032, mobile phone users would be able to report complaints to the Immigration Ministry and the Publics Service Reforms Ministry after which they would get immediate feedback.
"If you are applying for an ID card, there is a number of days that they have said it will take for you to get it. If it takes longer, you have a right to complain and you can ask a question through 2031 and 2032," he said.
He urged the public to utilise the new service to help them save time and also cut down transport costs.
The Premier further said the government was outsourcing other electronic initiatives to help include the 16 institutions which had their service delivery charters rolled out last August included in the E-service project.
He pointed out that the National Registration Bureau and Immigration departments had already developed their E-services urging other government institutions to follow suit.
Mr Odinga said E-Service was a New Year gift to Kenyans to ensure quality services are offered in line with international practices.
The Head of the Civil Service Francis Muthaura who was present during the function said the new service would also eliminate agents who charge illegal fees for passports.
He urged the Immigration Department to ensure Nyayo House is free of the so-called middlemen.
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