The Huduma Namba registration exercise kicked off on Monday across the country in the various counties that had been selected for the pilot program.
According to information from the Department of Immigration Services, the registration exercise is aimed at assigning individuals a unique national identification number, and that it will be carried out across all chiefs camps.
Mobile registration schedules moving from home to home and mobile stations like shopping centres have been drawn up to facilitate the countrywide project.
“Kenyans who will not be registered in the National Integrated Identity Management Systems (NIIMS) will be denied crucial government services,” read their statement from the department.
The immigration officers verified that for one to be registered, they will be required to produce at least an identification document which can either be a birth certificate, ID card, driving licence or the Kenya Revenue Authority PIN.
More importantly, every citizen above the age of six is expected to physically present her/himself to the point of registration as it‘s an exercise that cannot be delegated to third parties.
This is because there will be physical and actual capture of biometrics including fingerprints and facial features on site.
The information will be captured by the use of biometric kits and data capture forms will involve a one on one interview with those to be registered.
Foreign nationals were informed that in order to undergo the exercise, they will need to provide their passports or alien ID cards.
The govt. also affirmed that the exercise would be carried out both in Kenya and in the diaspora in order to cater to the Kenyan citizens working out of the country.
Huduma Namba is a programme which was initiated through Executive Order No. 1 of 2018 to create and manage a Central Master Population Register which will be the authentic ‘source of truth’ of the identity of all persons residing in Kenya.
According to the Department of Immigration Services, the exercise upon completion will help guard against impersonation and fraud, authentication of personal data as well as the enhancement of access to government services.
