Huduma Namba queues decline after deadline extension

Long queues which have been witnessed across the country as Kenyans rushed to beat the deadline for the mass registration were on Saturday reported to have declined.

A spot check by Citizen Digital revealed just a few Kenyans who braced the rain and cold weather to turn up for the registration process.

Most of them were however unaware of the extension with others blaming their employers for the last minute rush.

This comes just a day after the government extended the deadline for the mass registration by one week.

In a statement to newsrooms on Friday evening, President Uhuru Kenyatta expressed concern over the last minute-rush to register.

“It brings to the fore an ingrained last-minute rush habit that holds us back. Nevertheless, Kenyans are determined to register for their Huduma Namba and I have obliged to the numerous requests to give them an opportunity to do so,” he said.

According to the Head of State, 35 million Kenyans have so far registered for Huduma Namba otherwise known as the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS).

Four days ago, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i had hoewever warned that there would be no extension of the deadline for the registration.

““Kenyans need to know that we are paying those conducting this exercise Ksh.1000 a day and in case we extend by a day then it means we are going to spend a little more money, ” he said during a press conference at Harambee House, Nairobi on Monday.

Earlier on Friday, the Law Society of Kenya reiterated that registration is not mandatory and the government should not set any deadlines.

“Members of the public are advised that based on the Court orders, registration for Huduma Namba is not mandatory…No one should be denied any government services for failing to register, ” read the statement.