Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has moved to court to suspend the collection of data from Kenyan citizens under National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) commonly known as Huduma Number.
The Exercise that was launched yesterday by the Interior PS Kibicho is set to run in 15 selected counties in a period of 30 days. For one to be registered, the government will require an identification document which could either be a birth certificate, national identity card, driving license or the Kenya Revenue Authority personal identification number (PIN).
Access to health, education, and even freedom of movement among other rights, it says, are now subject to surrender of personal information. KHRC says this is against the Constitution-guaranteed right not to have information related to their families or private affairs unnecessarily required.
KHRC wants the amendment to Registration of Persons Act that was assented to in December by President Uhuru Kenyatta to be declared unconstitutional. In its court papers, the KHRC notes that the law is vague on what constitute ‘personal information’ to be surrendered to the State.
