Huduma Namba rollout is set to start in December

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 18- The long awaited Huduma Card will start being rolled out December 1, in a major milestone.

The card was launched on Wednesday by Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i and Joe Mucheru in Kiambu and Machakos Counties, respectively.

Matiang’i elaborated the President’s vision in establishing the Huduma Namba terming the developments big stride.

“It has been a long journey. The realization of the Huduma Card is the strongest testament about the leadership of our President and his commitment to liberate this country from the slavery of poor service. This service is revolutionary that is why it is called a Huduma Card.”

This follows the fulfillment of the requisite requirements, including the recent appointment and swearing-in of the Data Commissioner, Ms. Immaculate Kassait.

The move marks the beginning of a phased, nationwide roll-out starting December 1, 2020 which will take a year to end.

In view of the COVID-19 prevention and control protocols, citizens will be notified via SMS on when and where to pick their cards.

Individuals will have a month from the date of notification to collect their cards.

The process of distribution of the cards will continue over the duration of a year in line with the period provided for in the law.

“There is an enemy called the file which we are trying to get rid of in public service. The days of lost files, long queues and wastage of time instead of providing efficient service to citizens will be a thing of the past” said Matiang’i while explaining some of the Huduma Namba benefits.

In order to attain full inclusion of all people in Kenya, there will be another opportunity for mass registration in April 2021, while routine registration will continue thereafter.

The Huduma Namba, a fully Kenyan-funded and developed solution, will operate as the primary source of data on every citizen and foreigner.

This integrated database will enable the use of biometric data to identify people and assist them in accessing Government services.

Matiangi said data in the Huduma Card “is fully confidential and the Government has taken all the necessary technical and legislative measures to make it secure.”

The types of Huduma card issued will include;

Minors’ Huduma Card, which will be issued to children who have attained the age of six years.

Adults’ Huduma card, issued to citizens who has attained the age of eighteen years.

Foreign Nationals’ Huduma card, issued to foreign nationals; and Refugees’ Huduma Card, issued to refugees.

“As with any new breakthrough of this magnitude, we appeal for patience as we roll out distribution throughout the country, and assure each and every person living in Kenya that we are committed to making this transformative process as smooth as possible,” the Interior Cabinet Secretary said.