This archive report was first published on 3 October 2019.
Published on October 3, 2019, the government's latest revelation has raised concerns about the safety of personal data shared with third parties.
Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho revealed that information gathered through the National Integrated Information Management System will be shared with government agencies as required.
During a High Court case filed by the Nubian community and the Kenya National Human Rights Commission, Kibicho explained that the system will be used for tracing persons involved in crime, among other purposes.
When questioned about the inclusion of an option to disagree with data sharing, Kibicho stated that it would mean the government would be breaking the law.
He also revealed that the current definition of biometrics, as used in the Huduma number project, allows the government to collect DNA, although he denied that the government intends to do so.
Another contentious issue was the collection of employment information, which Kibicho stated was not initially intended but was included at the request of other government ministries.
The government relied on the Registration of Persons Act to roll out the Sh9 billion project, although a Huduma Number Bill is currently in Parliament.
The case continues today, with the court questioning the government's public participation and the application of Section 9A of the Registration of Persons Act.
