This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On April 10, 2019, the Government launched the Huduma Namba initiative in Maua, Meru. However, the move has sparked controversy, with the Government now proposing a bill that will lock out individuals without Huduma Namba from essential services.
According to the proposed Huduma Bill, 2019, individuals without Huduma Namba will be barred from registering their marriages, registering for electricity connection, enrolling in public educational facilities, selling or buying land, operating a bank account, and traveling outside the country without proof of registration.
The bill, proposed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, aims to make service delivery more efficient. However, the move goes against a High Court ruling that barred the Government from forcing Kenyans to register for Huduma Namba.
Public participation on the proposals is ongoing, with a public forum scheduled for July 25, 2019, at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi. Kenyans are also required to submit their views and memoranda to the ministry or at any Huduma Namba offices.
The proposed bill also introduces penalties for individuals who fail to obtain Huduma Namba, including a fine of Sh1 million or a one-year jail term for those who transact essential services without the number.
