What is the Gava Mkononi App?

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Kenya has launched a groundbreaking app called Gava Mkononi, offering access to over 5,000 government services.

This app is an extension of the eCitizen platform and is a key part of President William Ruto’s initiative to digitize government services in the country.

The eCitizen platform, which already provides Kenyans with access to government services, will now be fully integrated into the Gava Mkononi app.

Additionally, the app incorporates the functions of the Huduma Kenya Service Delivery Programme (HKSDP), which is a network of service centers offering various public services in addition to eCitizen.

The term “Gava Mkononi” is Swahili for “government in the palm of your hands,” as explained by the Information and Communication Authority (ICT) Authority, a department under the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy.

The name reflects the app’s goal of simplifying accessibility, allowing individuals worldwide to access all Kenyan government services using any device, whether it’s a mobile phone or a tablet.

Users can either download and install the app or access it through the web.

Reports indicate that the general public has been eagerly awaiting more information about the 5,000+ government services available on the Gava Mkononi app and eCitizen website.

At the beginning of 2023, there were fewer than 400 services on the portal, with driving license renewal, business registration, and police clearance certificates being the most sought-after services.

According to the ICT Authority, there are indeed over 5,000 services offered by various government agencies, accessible through the eCitizen portal or the new Gava Mkononi app.

For example, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alone provides approximately 560 services. With more than 30 agencies, each offering their own services, the total count surpasses 5,000.

The services range from registration and renewal to political party membership and public participation.

The app aims to streamline access to these services for Kenyan citizens.
In addition to the app, Gava Mkononi can also be accessed through other channels.

Given the widespread use of feature phones in Kenya, the app can be accessed via USSD by dialing *2222#.

Furthermore, it is available through various mobile money agency networks, such as Safaricom’s M-Pesa, and bank agencies like KCB, Equity Bank, and Cooperative Bank.

This ensures that individuals without smartphones can still benefit from the app’s services. Citizens also have the option to access eCitizen through the web or physically visit Huduma Centres, where HKSDP services are provided.

Looking to the future, the Kenyan government plans to digitize identification cards, making them accessible through the Gava Mkononi app and eCitizen portal.

This initiative aims to eliminate the need for physical ID cards and enhance convenience for citizens. While specific launch dates have not been announced, Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has previously discussed the idea of introducing new digital IDs.

Ultimately, the government envisions a future where physical visits to Huduma Centres will no longer be necessary, except for services like ID card replacements that require in-person visits.

The Gava Mkononi app and eCitizen platform are crucial steps toward transforming and digitizing government services in Kenya, making them more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly.

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