No birth certificate, ID, Passport for those not registered in NIIMS

The government now says you will not get any government services, nor obtain an ID, passport, driving licenses or even a birth certificate if you aren’t registered in the National Integrated Identity Management Systems (NIIMS).

NIIMS, which will capture data for persons from the age of 6, will create and manage a central master population register.

This, the government says will be the authentic source of truth of identity of all persons residing in Kenya including foreigners.

Each NIIMS registration will generate a unique number to be known as a Huduma Namba.

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.

The pilot registration is slated for February and March 2019 and will be spearheaded by County Commissioners who will coordinate the exercise for 30 days.

This will take place at homes, mobile registration centers and special institutions such as hospitals, prisons and learning institutions between 6am and 6pm including weekends and public holidays.

To register, one will require their identification documents and physical presence.

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

The government maintains this is to facilitate the Big 4 Agenda through the provision of citizen data to stakeholders who are charged with delivery of food security, affordable housing, manufacturing, affordable healthcare for all.

Human rights groups and many Kenyans have expressed concerns over NIIMS citing possible gaps in implementation.

Among concerns expressed include: the risk of abuse of the digital legal database, lack of data protection laws and policies in Kenya and the administrative inefficiencies hindering reach of birth registration to all Kenyans.

But the government maintains the roll out is still going to take place.