MYCOUNTY APP : ANOTHER FIRST FROM SAFARICOM

Safaricom  has  launched myCounty, a platform that enables all 47 counties to digitise  their services in one place providing a single, citizen access channel. The platform will include payment for county services, revenue management systems, a citizen reporting and engagement tool and solutions around agriculture, health, utility bills as well as  small and medium enterprises ( SMEs)  programmes.

Makueni becomes the first county to integrate to myCounty with  plans to gradually include all  the other  counties in coming months. myCounty will be accessible through a USSD short code, Android and iPhone App for all counties, and a mini-app on the M-Pesa  Super App which will offer county services and payments including parking fees, single business permit fees, market cess, land rates, property rates amongst others. Additionally, Makueni county will launch a citizen engagement channel and an online radio channels as part of its services.

Breaking through barriers

“Albert Einstein once said we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them. More than its convenience and accessibility, this app is a tool for breaking through barriers, challenging the status quo and re-imagining what is possible. It is a tool for leadership, for inspiring our citizens to be bold and visionary in their thinking and to embrace the power of change to create a better county for themselves and generations to come. It is a recognition that the power to change the world is within each and every one of us,” said Hon. Mutula Kilonzo, Governor – Makueni County.

The service seeks to ease access and payment of county services for the public, saving them from having to visit county offices for manual payments. Counties will benefit from more convenient – 24/7 access to their services, increased revenue collection and better visibility of revenue collection and performance.

“We are delighted to partner with Makueni County as they become the first devolved unit in the country to provide all their services on myCounty App.  myCounty provides individuals and organisations with a single, convenient point where they can access, manage  and pay for all county services. The service will be available for all  forty seven  counties as a smartphone app, web portal and short code. It  will integrate both current and upcoming services irrespective of the County’s provider of choice.  Additionally, it will  provide a management portal,” said Peter Ndegwa, chief executive officer,  Safaricom.

Gateway

myCounty App will allow users to select their county of residence which enables them to be linked to the specific county’s services for processing of requests. In the same vein, all users can also access services from other counties which will facilitate the  payment of parking fees and other common fees.Besides county services, myCounty will also provide a “Sema Na Governor” feature empowering residents to engage their Governor or report issues.  Moreover, it will  provide key county and emergency services including requests for fire, ambulance, police among others  at the tap of a button. Moreover, counties will be able to provide information on their services through the solution, with the provided information customized to each devolved unit.

Safaricom has developed a “gateway” that integrates services from all county providers in one digital channel. Counties will also benefit from additional capabilities, including revenue management, cash and bank reconciliation, credit control and debt management, and business intelligence systems. The company will also host the service as part of the Safaricom Cloud, provide big data and analytics solutions, and for app users, digital receipts and electronic notifications.