Huduma Namba: President Uhuru Launches Biometric Registration of Kenyans, Foreigners

President Kenyatta has officially launched the mass biometric registration of Kenyans and foreigners across the country.

Kenyatta has launched the registration drive on Tuesday in Masii, Machakos County.

The listing exercise will enable the government to create a population database dubbed the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS).

Speaking during the launch, Kenyatta has revealed that the pilot exercise for the program has unearthed loopholes through which the government has been losing money.

Kenyatta says the process has identified 2647 fake police officers who have been pocketing a total annual pay of Sh1.8 billion.

“In the National Police Service, we found 1447 people who were receiving salaries but were nowhere to be seen. In the Administration Police (A.P), we found 1048 and in the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) we found 152,” says Kenyatta.

“These are people who have not been found to date but were being paid. With this (NIIMS), we saved about Ksh.148 million when salaries for this past month were paid; which translates to about Ksh.1.8 billion yearly.”

President Uhuru says this could be the reason why some people have been opposing the new program.

“This is why some people are against this exercise because now they know the gaps they were using to steal money will be no more.”

He has further dispelled some of the myths and misconceptions about the "Huduma Namba".

“As a Christian, I was surprised the other day when I heard some priests saying the Huduma Namba is for the devil. Please, let us not give the privileged positions we have been given and the respect our people give us to dispel lies,” notes Uhuru.

“This is supposed to improve our ability to provide Kenyans with the service that they truly deserve and desire.”

Kenyans aged six and above, as well as foreigners living in the country, will be listed in the system.

Upon registration, one will be issued with a unique identification code known as Huduma Namba through which they will seek government services.

On Tuesday, the high court allowed the government to roll out the exercise but barred it from collecting DNA samples or forcing anyone to register.