This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
Kenya's New Identity System ¶
On July 19, 2019, the Kenyan government proposed a new law that would make the Huduma Namba a mandatory identification card for accessing government services.
The Huduma Namba is a unique and permanent personal identification number assigned to every resident individual at birth or upon enrolment under the Act.
According to the draft bill, the Huduma Namba will serve as the official government-issued document for identification and conduct of transactions.
This means that you will be required to have Huduma Namba to register as a voter, access universal healthcare, passport, apply for a driving licence, register a mobile phone number, pay taxes, transact in the financial markets and open a bank account.
The registration of Huduma Namba shall be through the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) that will be a primary database for both foundational and functional data.
The databases include those of voters, taxes, and social services. The proposal targets for amendment the Tax Procedures Act 2015, Kenya citizenship and Immigration Act 2011, Refugees Act 2006, National Hospital Insurance Fund Act 1988, Elections Act 2011, Marriage Act, 2014 and Children Act of 2001.
According to Dr Matiang'i, the passage of the bill will create an efficient identity system that will present opportunities for fiscal savings, development of the digital economy and enhanced public and private sector service delivery.
Dr Matiang'i proposes "An Act of Parliament to establish the National Integrated Identity Management System to promote efficient delivery of public services, to consolidate and harmonise the law on registration of persons, to facilitate assigning of Huduma Namba and issuance of identity documents, (and) to facilitate registration of births and deaths."
Penalties for offences relating to a protected computer system is a Sh5 million or five years in jail or both.
