Kenya rolls out NIIMS registration amid heavy skepticism
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Read 2minutesPresident Uhuru Kenyatta during the launch of the National Integrated Identity Management System. Photo by PSCU
Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday led a rollout of the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) amid heavy skepticism regarding the intention of and finer details about the project.
The primary aim of the system, popularized as “Huduma Namba”, is to increase the speed and efficiency of service delivery by the government.
The system is set up to use integrated data systems to manage information about citizens and aims to identify all Kenyans through a unique identification number.
Amid the skepticism, the country’s High Court allowed the launch to proceed but placed a number of strict conditions pending determination of the case against it.
The court ordered the government not to force Kenyans to register for the Huduma Namba. The government was also stopped from using the data to withhold any services or stop anyone from accessing public facilities.
Finally, the government was barred from sharing information collected with international bodies.
During the launch, the president was forced to dismiss several rumors being peddled about the NIIMS.
President Kenyatta faulted religious leaders for claiming the NIIMS is linked to Satan.
“I heard some religious leaders saying that this number is demonic. Honestly, how does Satan and identifying yourself relate?” Kenyatta asked.
The president also dismissed speculation that the exercise was intent on revealing the children of an individual’s secret lover.
“Please, let us not use privileged positions to spread lies about the Huduma Namba,” the president added.
A section of Kenyans, still unconvinced by the government’s reassurances, took to social media during and after the launch to voice their reservations about the NIIMS.
