President Uhuru Kenyatta is on Tuesday expected to launch the rollout of the National Integrated Identity Management System (Niims) — dubbed Huduma Namba in Masii town, Machakos County.
However, the new registration system has faced a lot of opposition from Kenyans some claiming that it is a threat as those who fail to register as they will not access essential government services.
Having a centralized database of everyone residing in Kenya has for sure it’s pros to the government as well as legitimate concerns to citizens and foreigners residing in the country.
The essence of the government rolling out the new registration system is to help it monitor what it calls “people of interest”.
In security terms, this could be people who have some past history with security agents or are engaged in suspicious actions/movements.
With the Huduma namba, the state believes it will be easier to manage security and other sensitive matters.
Huduma Nambas will also assist the government in other areas such as project resource allocation, national planning, social services, and infrastructure project planning.
Information currently available in our possession on the benefits of having a Huduma Namba include easy access to government services, coordinated registration of people, avoid duplication in registration and reduce operational costs, detect and prevent fraud, impersonation or any other crime.
According to the government, fingerprints which the government already has though issuance of National Identification numbers do not necessarily match with the face because of history where such exercises were infiltrated.
The government will further be using the Huduma database to coordinate other tasks such as:
- Issuing national identification cards.
- Printing of driving licenses.
- Issuance of foreigner’s certificates.
- Applying for birth & death certificates.
- Giving work permits, passports, VISA, and all foreign travel documentation.
- Issuing student identification cards.
- All government issued identification documentation.