The Kenyan government has come under scrutiny following revelations that billions of shillings collected from the e-visa system were initially transferred to a Swiss bank account before being moved to a local account. This move has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the handling of tourism revenues.
In response to the controversy, the Ministry of Tourism has clarified that the decision to route the funds through a Swiss account was made to facilitate international transactions and ensure the security of the funds during the initial processing phase. The ministry emphasized that the funds were subsequently transferred to a local account in accordance with Kenyan financial regulations.
According to the Public Finance Management (Tourism Promotion Fund) Regulations, all monies payable into the Tourism Promotion Fund are required to be received into a bank account within the Republic of Kenya. The regulations stipulate that the administrator of the fund shall cause an account in the name of the fund to be maintained in a bank within Kenya, ensuring compliance with national financial laws
The revelation has sparked public concern regarding the management of public funds and the potential for misuse. Critics argue that such practices undermine trust in government institutions and call for greater transparency in the handling of public finances.
While the government maintains that the transfer of funds to a Swiss account was a procedural measure, the incident highlights the need for stringent oversight and transparency in the management of public funds to maintain public trust and ensure accountability.
