The Government has announced that the new identification system, the National Integrated Identity Management System is set to officially begin in February.
The system is set to begin with a pilot program which will be launched in 15 counties before proceeding to the rest of the counties.
The counties where the pilot program will be launched include; Nairobi, Baringo, Makueni, Embu, Marsabit, Uasin Gishu, Nyandarua, Kajiado, Marsabit, Tana River, Busia, and Kilifi.
The government also announced that individuals who would not register for the new system dubbed Huduma Namba would be locked out of accessing important services.
“A person without Huduma Namba will not access government services including registration or renewal or replacement of National Identification Card; Application for a Passport; Application or renewal for driving license, Birth certificate; Application for NHIF, NSSF; Enrole for cash transfer for the elderly, subsidized farm inputs and other cash services under the Big 4 agenda like affordable housing among others,” read an excerpt from a statement regarding the NIIMS system.
The new identification system will be rolled out from 6am to 6pm each day, with registration taking place in mobile stations, homes and institutions around the country.
To register, individuals are required to carry their identification documents to the registration centres.
County Commissioners will be required to coordinate the NIIMS program rollout.
The announcement comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a directive to have all Kenyans registered digitally.
He stated that the Huduma Namba issued after registration would provide an authentic database for the identification of every person living in the country, Kenyan and foreign.
