The government on Monday started testing the Sh6 billion plan to register 50 million Kenyans for a digital database.
The National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) dubbed Huduma Namba pilot project will be done in 15 counties.
They are Nairobi, Makueni, Uasin Gishu, Embu, Busia, Kajiado, Baringo, Marsabit, Kilifi, Kisii, Tana River, Embu, Kisumu, and Wajir.
Kenyans will be required to register for to access services like applying for an ID, Passport or driving licence or a birth certificate.
Mass registration of persons across the whole country has been scheduled to begin on March 18, 2019.
The NIIMS is a National programme for the mandatory registration of all Kenyan Citizens and registered foreigners resident in Kenya established in the 2018 Amendment of Registration of Persons Act Sec. 9A.
It is meant to get data for persons from the age of six and create and manage a central master population register.
One must be present at the registration centres for Biometrics. The government further states that the exercise will run for 30 days only.
Huduma Namba will be a useful tool for the government to use in national planning, social services, project resource allocation and even project infrastructure.
In as much as your documents will be in the system, you will still need your Identification Card as the data entered in the system has to go through a verification process so as to be sure if the information goes hand in hand with what has already been recorded.
For foreigners especially short-term visitors or tourists, they will not be expected to get a Huduma Namba. Those who will be required to register are those with the status of students, workers and/or asylum seekers.
It will not cost you a shilling to register for Huduma Namba as it is a free government service.
