Biometric Registration of Kenyans Kicks Off in 15 Counties

The testing of the Sh6 billion plan that aims at registering more than 50 million Kenyans for a digital database kicked off on Monday.

The pilot program for the digital database dubbed National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) was launched by Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho.

The test will be conducted in 15 counties and will see each Kenyan given a unique identification code known as Huduma Namba.

The pilot is being carried out in Nairobi, Makueni, Uasin Gishu, Embu, Busia, Nyandarua Kiambu and Kajiado counties.

Others include Baringo, Marsabit, Kilifi, Kisii, Tana River, Embu, Kisumu, and Wajir.

Kenyans will use the Huduma Namba to seek crucial government services.

The pilot will be followed by a mass biometric registration of persons across the country beginning March 18th.

The exercise will help the government capture data for Kenyans from the age of six and create and manage a central master population register.

Foreigners living and working in the country are also required to take part in the registration drive.

One must be present in person at the registration centers for biometrics. 

PS Kibicho says once you have a Huduma Namba, you will not be required to carry ID, passport, driving license and other documents.

He also says the government will not be collecting any DNA samples during the exercise.

“The government will not collect any DNA material. Kenya does not have a bank big enough to store the DNA information of 50 million people,” he notes.