NIIMS: Everything You Need to Know About It

In the recent past, several leaders have aired their complaints about the distribution of resources to different regions compared to their population.

In 2018, a case of Wajir, Mandera and Garissa Counties hit the airwaves after being discovered they were receiving Ksh15 Billion more than their rightful share from the Commission of Revenue Authority. This was pinned on irregularities and alleged inflation of the population numbers from the 2009 census.

Cases of irregularities not only on census numbers but also election data have been reported over the years, therefore, influencing the idea that the government should embrace digitization and technology in order to reduce the errors.

2019 will take a step in the right direction on matters digitization of the population which will be done after the introduction of the NIIMS.

What is NIIMS Portal?

The National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) is a mass biometric registration system introduced by the Government that will create, manage and store Kenya’s population data. 

The NIIMS system, whose registration will start in February in selected counties, is meant to aid the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics in accessing data during the census scheduled for August 2019.

The master population database will be the single entity with all personal information of all Kenyans and foreigners who have acquired citizenship.

Biometric data means unique identifiers or attributes including fingerprints, hand geometry, earlobe geometry, retina and iris patterns, voice waves and DNA samples.

Type of data stored in NIIMS

The system will require data for all Kenyans aged six and above, and foreigners living in the country.

NIIMS will integrate GPS monitoring for persons applying for new identification cards as they will be required to provide information about their postal address, land reference number and plot or house number.

Requirements for registration

To register, one will be required to carry original copies of their identification documents such as ID, birth certificate, driving license, KRA pin and most importantly, physically present themselves at the station.

What is a Huduma Namba?

Upon registration, a number will be given, termed a Huduma Namba, that will be unique to everyone.

This is a number administered to every person who registers. The purpose of Huduma Namba will be to assign a personal unique identification to facilitate government services after capturing biometric data of all citizens and foreigners.

What happens upon failure to register

According to Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho, lack of registration on the NIIMS portal will lead to missing out on accessing government services, ID, passport, driving licenses and birth certificates.

Registration centres

Registration will be done at homes, on mobile phones, in specialized institutions such as churches and schools and there will also be agents moving door to door from 6am to 6pm including weekends and public holidays.

Registration dates

The pilot registration will be spearheaded by county commissioners in the different counties and will take place for 30 days in February and March 2019.

The process will start in 15 counties including; Nairobi, Uasin Gishu, Kajiado, Baringo, Marsabit, Embu, Makueni, Busia, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Kilifi and Tana River.

The move to have the advanced method of registration is to access important documents such as birth and school certificates, driving licenses, KRA PIN certificates and passports at the touch of a button.

Application of jobs as enumerators during the exercise was announced in August 2018, and the process completed.