Kenya Airports Authority shifts to cashless payments

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has announced a complete transition to cashless payments for all its services.

The shift, extending to several services provided by KAA, is expected to simplify payment processes, reduce transaction times, and minimize risks associated with handling physical currency.

“Our services have now transitioned to cashless payments; whether it’s for parking, airport passes, or any other KAA service, our cashless system is designed for effortless transactions,” said KAA in a statement Monday.

“Say goodbye to the hassle of carrying cash and hello to seamless transactions.”

To access the service, customers will need to dial the USSD code *566# and select an airport from the options provided. They can then make payments for security passes, film shooting, airport visits, animal holding, penalties, and Miraa transportation.

The move is not only a response to the global shift towards digital transactions but it also comes in line with President William Ruto’s last year directive to public institutions to digitize their services to streamline government services and reduce losses in revenue.

On Saturday, for instance, parents and guardians of learners in national schools were directed to make fee payments to the government’s e-citizen platform.

Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang' said the changes are part of the government's directives of onboarding all its services onto the e-citizen platform to enhance service delivery.

"As part of compliance with the requirements, it is directed that parents/guardians make fee payments for their learners in your institutions through this platform,” said Kipsang in a circular.

Speaking in Mombasa in November 2023, Ruto cited a significant surge in revenue collected by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) owing to the digitization of 13,000 government services, with collections jumping to Sh9 billion up from Sh1.5 billion at the time.