This archive report was first published on 20 July 2019.
On July 20, 2019, the government launched a mass registration exercise under the Huduma Namba project, sparking controversy over its true intentions.
The project, which aims to consolidate and harmonize the law on registration of persons, has been met with criticism from various quarters, with some accusing the government of giving Kenyans half-truths on the project's objectives.
Stephen Mutoro, the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) secretary general, expressed concerns over the project's costs and data security, stating that registration should be an ongoing process.
However, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i defended the project, citing the failure of the current national Identity Card to deliver on its intended goals and the need for a more efficient system.
The Huduma Bill, which seeks to establish the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS), proposes the use of biometric data, including fingerprints, hand geometry, and retina patterns, to authenticate individuals.
The bill also aims to make the Huduma card electronic, giving it super abilities to monitor and track individual activities off-site.
According to the bill, the Huduma card will serve as the official government-issued document for identification and conduct of transactions, making it mandatory for every citizen.
The government plans to make the Huduma card a requirement for accessing various services, including passport registration, driving license application, mobile phone registration, voter registration, and tax payment.
