This archive report was first published on 27 July 2021.
On July 27, 2021, a Nairobi court granted Kenyans who refused to get the Huduma Namba registration a temporary reprieve after temporarily banning the government from denying them public services.
The Court of Appeal suspended a proposal to bar Kenyans without Huduma Namba cards from accessing the National Government's Constituency Fund (NGCDF) until November 5.
Lawyers Paul Muite and Issa Mansur made a spirited plea on behalf of the National Assembly, which led to the court's decision.
Court of Appeal judges Agnes Murgor, Jessie Lesiit, and Pauline Nyamweya ordered that the laws should remain suspended until November 5.
After the November 5 period lapses, the court will issue a new directive determining the fate of those who refused to get Huduma Namba.
The High Court had previously declared 23 laws, including Huduma Namba, Cybercrimes law, and NGCDF, allowing the National Assembly and the National Senate to consult and validate them before July 29, 2021.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru announced on November 18, 2020, that the current National ID card would cease operating, and be replaced by Huduma Namba Cards.
Interior CS Fred Matiang'i introduced the first Huduma Card on October 20, 2020, during the Mashujaa Day celebrations, and announced that it would allow Kenyans to easily access all government services.
