This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
As the country continues to grapple with the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has found a way to utilize the Huduma Number registration data to identify and support the most vulnerable citizens.
According to reports, the government will be using the Huduma data to map out and send coronavirus cushion money directly to the phones of those in need.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had announced a 10 billion shillings package to be disbursed to the vulnerable in four counties last month.
Additionally, the government has allocated 9 billion shillings through the Inua jamii program, targeting orphans, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups in the country.
So far, Sh170M has been sent to persons deemed vulnerable through the cash transfer, with recipients in Kilifi, Nairobi, Kwale, and Mombasa being among the worst hit by the pandemic.
However, the program's effectiveness is being hindered by the lack of accurate data, following a high court order to remove invasive data collected during the Huduma Namba exercise.
As BBC journalist Ferdy Omondi noted, 'In this story a PS is cleverly blaming courts for stopping Huduma number, which 'could have been used to reach millions'. The courts ordered the state to strike off illegal, invasive data first, eg GPS, and then use Huduma Namba. Guess who was to make the changes? Parliament.'
Some users have already received Sh2,000 from the government, with unclear information on whether this is a monthly or weekly stipend.
For comparison, vulnerable people in Canada are receiving Sh200,000 every two weeks.
