Mandatory Biometric Listing of All Kenyans to Start on April 2nd

The government has announced that the planned mass biometric registration of all Kenyans into a database will start early next month.

The listing of all citizens, foreigners, and refugees on the database dubbed the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) comes after a successful pilot program in 15 counties.

In a statement, the Ministry of Interior says the exercise will commence on April 2nd across the country and end on May 16th.

"From April 2, 2019, the government will be registering all Kenyan citizens, foreigners, aliens & refugees under the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS)."

"Non-citizens need a passport, alien card or special pass. Those without identifying documents will not be left out," the Interior Ministry says. 

After listing, every person will be given a unique identification number known as Huduma Namba. 

"The Huduma Namba programme moves to curb attempts by foreigners and persons from illegally obtaining Kenya civil status," said Immigration PS Gordon Kihalangwa.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i says the exercise is targeting Kenyans who are above six years as well as foreign nationals living and working in the country.

The government argues that the system will help boost service delivery, national security and facilitate distribution of public resources.

President Kenyatta said NIIMS will be the "authentic single source of truth on personal identity in Kenya."

"To enhance the progress made by the Integrated Population Registration System, my administration will complete a central master population database which will be the authentic ‘single source of truth’ on personal identity in Kenya," he said in January.