Huduma Kenya has clarified the Ksh150 fee charged for assisted services at cyber cafés operating within its centres, following concerns over additional costs incurred by Kenyans accessing government services.
In a statement issued on October 14, the agency said the fee covers assistance with tasks such as scanning, printing and completing online applications, alongside convenience charges associated with accessing services through the eCitizen platform.
Huduma Kenya emphasised that the Ksh150 auxiliary fee is separate from official government service charges, meaning customers may have to pay both where applicable.
The standardised fee was introduced in 2023 and rolled out across all 57 Huduma Centres to cover additional services offered at the facilities.
The agency also clarified that the cyber cafés are operated by independent business owners selected through government tendering processes, rather than by Huduma Kenya itself.
It further stated that it does not collect revenue from services provided by the independently operated cyber cafés.
“Huduma Kenya cyber cafés are operated by independent business owners, and we do not collect any revenue from the delivery of services to citizens,” the agency said, adding that specific government services may attract separate charges and eCitizen convenience fees.
Kenyans commonly visit Huduma Centres for services including national identity card processing, birth and death certificates, driving licence renewals, vehicle-related transactions and Social Health Authority (SHA) registration.
For instance, a one-year driving licence renewal through the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) costs Ksh650, comprising a Ksh600 service fee and a Ksh50 eCitizen convenience fee.
The clarification seeks to distinguish the cost of government services from the additional charges customers may incur when seeking assistance from cyber cafés within Huduma Centres.
