Why Key Govt Departments Risk Abolishment in New Huduma Bill

Huduma namba being distributed in Nairobi on Thursday, February 4
Huduma namba being distributed in Nairobi on Thursday, February 4
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Reports have emerged that a number of key government institutions that provided crucial services to Kenyans may soon be rescinded.

This will happen if the Huduma Bill 2021 is passed into law. The bill proposes the installation of a database that will include key functions at the desk of the Interior Principal Secretary.

The proposed law provides for the establishment of the National Integrated Identity Management System database, which will lead to the establishment of Huduma Namba and Huduma Card.

According to the new proposals in the Huduma Bill, government departments such as the registration of births and demises, National ID and Immigration, will be consolidated and placed at the Interior Principal Secretary.

Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya addressing the press After a Jubilee PG Meeting at KICC on Monday, June 22, 2020.
Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya addressing the press After a Jubilee PG Meeting at KICC on Monday, June 22, 2020.
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However, the bill has not received support from elected leaders and some government departments.

The Directorate of Immigration Services faulted the bill and called for public participation in the process.

According to the directorate, the database is a national population register and cannot on its own replace immigration functions.

Further, the Immigration Department argued that the proposed changes will negatively impact the careers of immigration officers and affect donor support of studies.

Narok Senator, Ledama ole Kina, also supported the immigration officials opposed to the bill, arguing that the bill has some dangerous clauses and it does not need to be passed as it is.

“I’m aware that there’s a Huduma Bill, and that Huduma Bill is extremely dangerous because it will convert all immigration officers into nymphs. How dare you say that a passport is a primary document?" Ole Kina posed.

"It is not a primary document, we know that what is a primary document is a national ID and the birth certificate."

If the bill becomes law in its current form, it will affect nine existing laws, including the Elections Act.

The Huduma Bill also proposes that IEBC uses its database as the source of the main voter register, causing more outrage across the country.

Kenyans line up to register for Huduma Number in April 2019
Kenyans line up to register for Huduma Number in April 2019
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