NIIMS mandatory registration, Huduma Namba explained

The Kenyan government has launched the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) Pilot Programme across 15 Counties.

The National Management System (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.

The programme was officially launched by Karanja Kibicho, PS, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government of Kenya and Jerome Ochieng, PS, Ministry of ICT, and begun immediately.

Mr. Kibicho announced the launch via his official Twitter account stating:

“Together with my colleague from @MoICTKenya Jerome Ochieng & other National & County government officials, we launched the pilot phase of the biometric registration for #HudumaNamba programme. All you need to register is your national ID card or driving license or your passport,”

“Remember, you are not constrained to register for #HudumaNamba from your place of birth; you can just submit yourself to the registration exercise whenever you are within the Republic of Kenya. Please do so in the earliest time possible to avoid last minute rush,” he added.

Purpose of the NIIMS registration

• To create a single source of personal information of all Kenyans and registered foreign residents in Kenya
• To harmonize and incorporate, into a unique National identification number called the Huduma Namaba, all registered person’s information currently reproduced from time to time when registering for documentation including national identification cards, foreigner certificates, biths and death certificates, driving licenses, work permits, passports and foreign travel documentation and student IDs.

About NIIMS registration Programme

• The programme will register persons in Kenya as per the established Administrative Units the 2010 Constitution such as Counties.
• The programme will conduct a National biometric registration of all Kenyan citizens and foreign nationals residing in the country, digitally.
• The programme collates into one register, personal information of Kenyan citizens and foreign residents such as education level and employment status.

How NIIMS registration will be conducted

• Pilot exercise is scheduled across 15 countries to begin 15^th February, 2019. These counties include: Nairobi, Uasin Gishu, Kajiado, Baringo, Marsabit, Embu, Makueni, Busia, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Kisii, Tana River, Kisumu and Wajir.
• Mass Registration of persons across the whole country is scheduled to begin on March, 2019. All Kenyan citizens and foreign nationals in Kenya must be registered as directed by president.

What is the Huduma Namba?

This is the number one receives upon registration is what is referred to as the Huduma Namba. A multipurpose card is then set to be produced later on, after verification on the information provided has taken place; this card will be referred to as the Huduma Card.

The number will assist the Kenyan government to develop a national biometric population database of all persons in Kenya in order to assign a personal unique identification to facilitate access to government services. The Huduma Namba will help detect and prevent fraud, impersonation or any other crime.

Why a bio-metric registration process?

The government is undertaking a bio-metric registration process so as to:

• Guard against impersonation and fraud
• Authenticate personal data
•  Enhance access to government services

The mass registration, which is set to take place for 30 days, will take place in the following locations:  Mobile registration centres; homes; and special institutions like prisons, hospitals, learning institutions…

For one to be registered they are required to be physically present and at least an identification document such as: Birth certificate, id, driving license or kra pin.