Two prominent professors, Frederick Ogola and Bernard Okello, have filed a petition challenging a recent government directive that mandates all payments for government services to be made through a single playbill.

The directive, issued by President William Ruto in June, aims to centralize payment for government services and enhance accountability.

However, the petitioners argue that the closure of all government digital payment platforms to facilitate this integration infringes upon constitutional rights and lacks proper public participation.

The petitioners assert that the move to close down various government digital payment platforms and transition to a single digital payment system has been executed without the necessary public engagement or a clear framework.

In their viewpoint, this lack of public participation raises concerns about the constitutionality of the directive.

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Moreover, the professors emphasize that the absence of mechanisms to ensure accountability within the single digital payment system could have adverse consequences for the citizens of Kenya.

They believe that without proper oversight, there is potential for misuse of funds or a lack of transparency in the payment processes.

According to them, if the court fails to intervene and issue orders to halt the implementation of the single payment system, Kenyan citizens could suffer as a result.

Another concern raised by the petitioners is that the adoption of a single digital payment platform for all government services might undermine the distinction between the national and county governments.

They argue that this move could potentially blur the lines of authority and financial management between the different tiers of government, leading to confusion and inefficiencies.

The urgency of the matter has been acknowledged by Duty Judge Hedwig Ongudi, who has certified the case as urgent. As a result, the court has directed that the petition be served on the relevant respondents.

The case is set to be mentioned on the fourth day of next month, at which point compliance with the court's orders will be assessed and further directions for the case's progression will be determined.

Ruto's directive to streamline payment for government services through a single playbill channel was issued in June of this year.

The President's goal with this directive is to centralize payment processes and bolster accountability in the provision of government services.

However, with the legal challenge now underway, the fate of this directive remains uncertain, as the court weighs the constitutionality of the move against the petitioners' concerns.