This archive report was first published on 3 October 2019.
On October 2, 2019, Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho testified at the Milimani court, where he admitted that information gathered during the Huduma number registration process will be shared with government agencies without notifying the individuals concerned.
According to Kibicho, the National Integrated Information Management System will be used to trace individuals involved in crime, among other purposes. He explained that if an option to disagree with the sharing of information was included in the form and people opted for it, it would mean the government would be breaking the law.
During the court proceedings, Kibicho was questioned about the government's intention to collect DNA, capture people's irises and earlobes as part of unique identifiers. He denied that the government intends to collect DNA, but admitted that the current definition of biometrics, as used in the Huduma number project, allows the government to take even DNA.
The court also raised concerns about the government's reliance on the Registration of Persons Act to roll out the Sh9 billion Huduma number project, despite the lack of new regulations in place. Kibicho claimed that his ministry relied on an executive order to record details from minors, despite the Registration of Persons Act dictating that a person who is 18 years or older should be registered.
