Kuwait Launches Sahel App for Electronic Payments of Travel Bans, Rent, and Fines. Kuwait’s recent digital advancements in government services mark a major step in streamlining administrative tasks for citizens and residents alike. The Sahel App, designed for swift electronic payments, allows users to address travel bans, rent, and fines seamlessly through an easy-to-use digital interface.
Alongside these improvements, the Ministry of Justice is introducing a third fingerprint system – known as “presence” – that tracks employee attendance.
However, this transition has led to some operational hurdles, particularly impacting court activities at the Palace of Justice and other judicial institutions.
Informed sources suggest that adapting to these new measures requires thoughtful consideration to balance efficiency with uninterrupted service.
Disruption of Court Operations
A significant impact of the new fingerprint system has been felt in judicial departments where some court sessions were delayed as secretaries and clerks struggled to manage their tasks around fingerprinting requirements.
Session secretaries, in particular, face challenges balancing their responsibilities during court sessions with compliance to the “presence” system, sparking concerns over maintaining smooth workflows in the courts.
General Court sessions often start around 9:00 a.m. and can extend beyond 1:00 p.m., while Appeal and Cassation Courts begin sessions at approximately 9:30 a.m.
This new protocol has led some court officials to reach out to the Ministry of Justice, urging a review of the fingerprint attendance process to reduce disruptions.
Court Type |
Typical Start Time |
Average Session Duration |
General Court |
9:00 a.m. |
Extends beyond 1:00 p.m. |
Appeal Court |
9:30 a.m. |
Afternoon sessions as necessary |
Cassation Court |
9:30 a.m. |
Afternoon sessions as necessary |
Legislative Changes Impacting Administrative Cases
Another shift in Kuwait’s judicial landscape is the recent legislative amendment that increased filing fees from 10 dinars to 100 dinars.
Since this fee adjustment, administrative cases have seen a sharp decline – dropping by 93%, from an average of 100 cases daily to only 7.
This significant reduction suggests that the former low fees may have encouraged less serious claims, whereas the increase has prompted individuals to reassess filing motivations, creating a leaner, more focused case intake.
New Regulations for Evening Work in Government Sectors
With the rise in workload and new legislative changes, the Civil Service Bureau recently implemented new guidelines for evening work across various government ministries and agencies.
The Ministry of Justice is exploring evening hours to address this shift, though discussions around implementing evening court sessions are still in early stages.
While general and appeal courts have historically managed heavier caseloads by conducting afternoon sessions, further adjustments would likely require approval from the Judicial Council.
Enhanced Government Services through the Sahel App
To provide a smoother experience for citizens, the Ministry of Justice has upgraded access to government services through the Sahel App. This application allows users to manage payments for travel bans, rent, and fines.
The app provides easy selection of cases for dues payment, which are processed in real time, resulting in immediate lifting of restrictions or bans.
This not only improves user experience but also underscores Kuwait’s commitment to enhancing its digital economy infrastructure.
Key Features of the Sahel App:
Feature |
Functionality |
Travel Ban Payments |
Allows users to pay fees and lift travel bans |
Rent Payments |
Enables quick rent payments via the app |
Fines Payment |
Immediate payment for fines to clear penalties |
Case Selection |
User-friendly selection of specific cases |
Real-Time Processing |
Instant lifting of bans or restrictions |
Staffing Shortages and Increased Workload
The annual rise in judicial circuits has led to increased workloads, particularly impacting the misdemeanor and felony courts in Al-Raqqai and the Palace of Justice.
As demands grow, court sectors are experiencing staffing shortages that place additional strain on maintaining service quality.
These challenges underscore the need for sustainable staffing solutions to address the workload surge and ensure continuous service efficiency across the judicial system.
Conclusion
Kuwait’s rollout of the Sahel App for digital payments, combined with operational shifts like the third fingerprint attendance system, demonstrates the country’s commitment to modernizing government services.
While the fingerprinting process has presented some operational disruptions, particularly in the courts, these advancements reflect Kuwait’s progressive approach to integrating digital solutions for an efficient public service sector.
As the Ministry of Justice considers evening work hours and explores solutions for staffing shortages, Kuwait’s journey towards a digitally integrated future continues to unfold with promising potential.