All Kenyans to be Issued with Unique Identification Numbers in New Gov't Plan

The government has begun plans to set up a national database that will capture personal information of all Kenyans as well as foreign nationals living in the country.

More than 30,000 clerks have been hired to traverse the country collecting biometric information that will be used to create the database dubbed the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS).

Under the plan, each Kenyan will be issued with a unique identification number referred to as Huduma Namba. Kenyans will use the Huduma Namba to seek crucial government services.

President Kenyatta has already appointed an inter-ministerial committee that will be chaired by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i. The team will oversee the creation of the system.

“In the performance of its functions, the Inter-ministerial Committee shall report to the President; and regulate its own procedure.” a gazette notice reads.

Other members of the committee include Cabinet Secretaries Joe Mucheru (ICT), Sicily Kariuki (Health), Henry Rotich (Treasury), Amina Mohamed(Education), Mwangi Kiunjuri (Agriculture), James Macharia (Transport), and Attorney General Kihara Kariuki.

The system will also help the government keep key information about every Kenyan from birth to death as well as enable the government to monitor the population register. It will also help in detecting fraud, impersonation and other criminal activities.

Crucial documents held by citizens including birth certificate, school certificate, driving license, Kenya Revenue Authority PIN and passport will be accessed at the touch of a button.

State agencies such as the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will also be able to access the database.