This archive report was first published on 22 November 2019.
On November 22, 2019, the Treasury's decision to slash the budget allocated for biometric mass registration by Sh1 billion delayed the release of Huduma Namba cards.
The Interior Ministry had opposed the cut, warning that it would hinder the printing of the cards. The ministry petitioned the National Assembly's Security Committee to reinstate the Sh1 billion budget, citing the critical need for additional funding to print the cards.
The Huduma Namba cards were part of the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS), a mass registration drive that ended in May. The drive aimed to issue new digital identity cards for all Kenyan residents, combining various identity document numbers.
Although Kenyans were free to opt out of the registration, there was a possibility that they could be denied government services once the system was rolled out.
Parliament is expected to issue a verdict on the budget's review before December 5, when the House will break for its Christmas recess.
