Global payment company MasterCard has won a government contract for the roll out of smart cards which would be used by citizens to pay for state services; they can also use the cards to disburse funds to wananchi.
On this project, MasterCard will work with Equity Bank, Commercial Bank of Africa, KCB Group and Diamond Trust Bank who will distribute the Huduma Card and ensure its uptake. The four lenders also bear the costs of the project. The card will also be available at all Huduma Centres countrywide.
The programme will integrate all services offered through the centres providing a cash payment option for government services. Citizens will, for instance, pay for their passports through the cards that are offered free of charge at 32 centres spread across 27 counties.
Ministry of Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru said the government will also disburse its social payments through the cards.
“Uwezo Fund beneficiaries, Youth and Women Funds disbursements, National Youth Service, Social welfare government cash transfers to families, government food subsidies, hunger safety net cash transfers and cash transfers to orphaned children will be disbursed through the cards,” said Ms Waiguru when she addressed the Media over the start of using this card. The Huduma Card will be launched later in the year.
