This archive report was first published on 20 July 2019.
On July 20, 2019, the Huduma Namba Bill 2019 was published, marking a critical moment for Kenya. The bill follows the accelerated national drive to register Kenyans under the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) in April and May. The Interior Ministry reported that over 31 million Kenyans registered for Huduma Namba, with many rushing to meet the first deadline.
Justices Korir, Nyamweya, and Ngugi ruled on April 1 that the Huduma Namba registration could proceed as a voluntary exercise without DNA testing, GPS data collection, or any restrictions to the rights of Kenyans and foreigners. However, the 2019 Bill contradicts this judgment.
The Cabinet approved the Data Protection Bill and Policy on April 17, 2019, after receiving 700 submissions from the public. This bill is before the National Assembly and is sometimes confused with a parallel Data Protection Bill (2018) sponsored by Senator Gideon Moi in the Senate.
The Huduma Namba Bill 2019 seeks to fundamentally overhaul the registration of everyone, regardless of their location, age, or citizenship status. If passed in its current form, individuals will be required to have a Huduma Namba to access essential services, including marriage, voting, paying taxes, owning land, and transacting investments.
Amnesty International Executive Director emphasized the importance of public engagement and scrutiny of the bill, stating, 'It is critical we get it right, not just for this generation and Government but the generations and governments to come.'
Residents are encouraged to share their views through the Dokeza phone app managed by Mzalendo Trust and submit their views to the Interior Ministry copied to human rights and governance organizations before August 2, 2019.
