As per the reports on X by MOE, Kenya’s e-visa system is at the centre of a fresh financial scandal after revelations that Sh6.5 billion may have been sent to Swiss bank accounts instead of the country’s Consolidated Fund. The money, collected through the digital visa system, was expected to support national projects but now appears to have disappeared into foreign accounts.
This development has triggered public anger and growing demands for investigations.
How It All Began
Last year, President William Ruto’s government launched the e-visa system to make travel to Kenya easier. The idea was to shift to a fully digital platform where travellers would apply for an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) instead of getting visas at the airport. This platform was managed by a Swiss company, Travizory Border Security SA, which promised secure and efficient handling of the visa process.
Travizory was supposed to process applications, collect payments, and pass on the money to the Kenyan government. However, new reports now suggest that a big portion of the funds collected – about Sh6.5 billion – were instead sent to Swiss bank accounts.
This money was never deposited in Kenya’s Consolidated Fund, which is the official account where all government revenue should go.
Fallout with Travizory Raises Questions
The scandal came to light after what appears to be a disagreement between the Kenyan government and Travizory. The nature of the fallout is not clear, but it seems to have led to leaks and further scrutiny of how the company handled the e-visa revenue.
While Travizory has denied any wrongdoing and insists that it followed its contract, it has not explained why the money was sent to Switzerland or how much was remitted back to Kenya. This lack of transparency has raised suspicion and led many to believe that there may have been serious financial mismanagement involved.
Public Reaction and Political Pressure
The news has caused outrage across the country. Kenyans are questioning why such a large amount of money could be moved so easily without detection. With the country struggling under the weight of taxes, debt, and a high cost of living, many citizens feel betrayed.
Opposition groups have demanded a full investigation into the matter. They argue that Sh6.5 billion could have helped fund hospitals, schools, or youth employment programs. Instead, it now appears to have been siphoned abroad, possibly never to return.
Civil society groups are also calling for audits and transparency in all government contracts involving foreign firms. There is a growing feeling that the e-visa scandal may be just one of many poorly monitored deals.
Why This Matters
This incident is more than just a case of missing money. It has highlighted how fragile the country’s digital financial systems are when managed by foreign private companies without strict government oversight. It also shows how public money can be easily diverted when accountability is lacking. At a time when the government is increasing taxes and asking Kenyans to tighten their belts, news that Sh6.5 billion vanished under their noses is unacceptable to many citizens. People are demanding answers and some are already calling for arrests and resignations if wrongdoing is confirmed.
What Happens Next
An audit of the e-visa system has reportedly started, and investigators are expected to follow the money trail to determine what went wrong. Whether the money will be recovered, or whether anyone will be held accountable, remains to be seen.In the meantime, the public is watching closely.
The government’s response will likely affect how much trust Kenyans have in future digital platforms and international partnerships. For now, the alleged loss of Sh6.5 billion stands as another painful reminder of how mismanagement and secrecy continue to rob the country.
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