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The deadline for Kenyans in the Diaspora to acquire Huduma Namba is two days away, and for many Kenyans living in the United States completing the application process at the Kenya Embassy in Washington, DC has been frustrating.
Kenyans living in various states across the US have rushed to heed to the Kenyan government’s call for the Diaspora to acquire Huduma Namba by June 20th, 2019. Those registering for Huduma Namba are required to first complete an online form, download it, and then appear in person for Biometrics capture at their closest Kenyan embassy or consulate.
Several Kenyans resident in the US have reached out to Mwakilishi.com complaining of the inconveniences of traveling long distances to Washington, DC for the registration process, long lines and waits at the Embassy, and last of organization among Embassy staff.
Things are complicated further by Kenyans going to the Embassy to acquire ePassports to beat the deadline of September 1st set by the government for all Kenyans to acquire ePassports. The government announced that non-digital Kenyan passports will cease being valid for travel beginning September 1st. The application process for an ePassport also requires the applicant to visit the Embassy in person for Biometrics capture.
On most days, long lines stretch outside the Embassy in Washington, DC as Kenyans seek either Huduma Namba or ePassports. Some Kenyans have complained of spending up to three days in Washington, DC and incurring huge travel and accommodation costs as they are sometimes forced to stay in Washington for days in order to complete the process.
Dr Paul Mukundi, a resident of Baltimore , Maryland expressed surprise at the chaotic approach at the Embassy during his recent visit to the Embassy. “There were hundreds of people,” he told Mwakilishi.com, “and when the embassy cannot anticipate the number of clients they’ll have on any day, they should have a what-if plan for any eventuality.” Dr Mukundi, who had his wife and two year old son, watched as his son and numerous other kids and babies cried for hours in the scorching heat. Everything was made worse by the fact that there was no clear system in place. Those seeking all types of services made a line that snaked around R street, despite the fact that some of them who required visas and passports were much fewer in number, said Dr Mukundi.
Faith Kavoi, a resident of New Jersey says she travelled to Washington, DC last Friday only to be told her application for an ePassport had been rejected by the system and was told to go back to the Embassy on Monday. Her return on Monday was still fruitful, as she was told to return to the Embassy on yet another day.
“I came to the Embassy on Friday from New Jersey. They told me that my application for my epassport was rejected by their system and that I should come back on Monday. I had to rent a hotel and stay in Washington DC for three days. I came back today Monday and I was told that I have to come another day because they had to consult somebody in Kenya. Finally, a person who had had the same problem advices to apply again and pay again because the embassy officials keep telling you to come back a day or two later, but nothing ever happens. I have not only paid twice for one epassport but I’ve also had to spend so much money renting a hotel room,” Faith tells Mwakilishi.com.
Rev Dr Sammy Kamwenji, who travelled recently all the way from Elkhart, Indiana to acquire Huduma Namba, says the procedure for processing the Huduma number application needs more strategic planning. He says that when he arrived at the Embassy, there were lots of people in the queue who had come very early in morning. “We arrived around 945am and by then the line was already so long. We were finally served around 6pm. We appreciate the diligence of all those who were tirelessly processing the applications. They were very kind and understanding. However more man-power would really help achieve a smooth flow. More processing satellite offices across USA would be of great help to the diaspora community,” Rev Dr Kamwenji says.
James Karichu flew with his wife all the way from San Francisco, California to apply for an ePassport, and says they along other people including small children spent an entire day in the scorching sun in the line outside the Embassy. “No one cares about Older parents, women babies crying in the scorching sun. There is no proper information,” Karichu tells Mwakilishi.com.
Comments
@mungumugo,please do bring God in this human inefficiency and ineffectiveness, unless you want to give him credit for this mess. Iwas planning to come today,but friend called and told me not to bother unless ihave aweek to spare.How can we be this disorganized in a country that thrives in organizing and efficiency...?
Flew from San Francisco? What of the Consulate in LA? GOK continues to excel in mediocrity.
My friend, Los Angeles consulate has categorically indicated that the consulate is NOT issuing epassports. All Kenyans living in continental USA must make the long and expensive trip to the lackadaisical Kenyan consulate in DC !! why? Ask the remiss officials within Kenyan government.
Kenyan embassy should do better than this.
Ndugu yangu @Mundumugo:
MWUMBAJI MKUU alimaliza kazi yake alipotupatia akili. Watu wengine hutumia akili yao 24/7, wengine, badala ya kutumia akili yao hupotelea kwenye maombi.
Nchi zinazotumia akili zimeendelea sana; zile ambazo zimepotelea makanisani au misikitini kila wakati na kumwomba "mungu" huyu wa kigeni zina matatizo mengi sana.
"mungu" huyu tuliyeletewa na Wanayuropa na Waarabu kazi yake ilikuwa kumpumbaza Mwafrika na kumfanya ashughulikie juu ya maisha yake baada ya kufa? "mungu" kama huyu ni adui mkubwa sana wa Mwafrika.
@Wakili wa Wazinzidaima. Your days are Numbered. Why? Because Apostate Saul (na " Akili" yake) was like you (na Ujuaji wake DOMOkaya). So like you he Spent lots of his time DISPARAGING Christian religon (leave alone Persecuting Christians). Then he met More than he Bargained for on his Way to DAMASCUS. He went BLIND until Prayer was made for him (in Jesus name) And his Sight recovered (in Jesus'Name!). And he became APOSTLE Paul. You're next in Jesus' Name. Amen!!!.🙏
Tatizo, kwa maoni yangu, ni kwamba Wakenya wengi wako tayari kupuuza kushindwa kwa jina la mungu. Wakenya wanaomba sana kwa mungu lakini jamii ni mbaya kuliko ilivyokuwa. Sala hizi zote hazikusaidia. Binafsi, nataka malipo yangu hapa na sasa na sio baada ya maisha hapa duniani. Yes, I was being snarky when I posted, but any semi-competent person could see this a mile away when the deadline was posted. As for that vengeance you promising @ImaraDaima, please forward the memo where you were appointed "the judge"
Tafadhali, uacha uovu huu unayepiga
This is an old story just like guest1 is. We're you there or is it a story you read in some old book that makes you feel good about yourself and superior? You are trying too hard to put Imara down. He doesn't belong to your league. He will not join you in the pig sty. Kaa huko peke yako.
I wonder what the chairman of the Kenya Diaspora Association is doing in all these blatant strategic blander affecting Kenyans in diaspora! How can a single mother of three living, for example, in Chicago, be expected to buy a ticket for four and haul entire family to DC and spend all these days in the DC expensive hotels just to get a service that most Kenyans in Kenya are getting in their backyards? Kenyans in Diaspora send billions of shillings to Kenya every quarter but Kenyan government doesn't seem to reciprocate the gesture by providing adequate services. Instead the government is hellbent in frustrating its citizens by all means. Why can't the government set up services in major cities across major countries? Why does one need to be required to provide a second generation ID if they already have a valid passport? Why not just use the information already gathered when the current passport was being obtained in the first place? Why does one with a valid passport still required to have a Kenyan sponsor? Why doesn't the government consider a more realistic deadlines for these so called huduma namba and for godssake, if the courts had declared it not mandatory, why then is the huduma namba a prerequisite for obtaining a new passport? Isn't that making it mandatory? The Chairman of Kenya Diaspora Association need to get involved in these in a serious way. We are willing to participate in a demonstration outside DC embassy when called upon to do so? Kenyans in Diaspora cannot be treated as second class citizens!
@Jag...I feel your pain to the core. This is backward governance by GOK. Why should we have to travel across the country for a service that should be offered to us at will as citizens of Kenya, why should we sign up for that Mastercard aka huduma number? those requirements for the epassport are asinine recomender ID for passport renewal???....Kenya is truly ran by Cartels and this is a clear cut example of how Cartels treat its citizens by threats and demands. I think these individuals who come up with these stupid rules think that all Kenyans live in DC and it's like Kenya you can just panda a mathree and go to Nyayo house...
I'm staying put until they clean the mess they are in - stupid Embassy, everyone I know who has gone there has not been successful be it for the Huduma number or e passport!
"...Na wengine wanasema Uhuru aendelee baada ya 2022???!!!"
UHuru?/RAO listen example if my son will be turning 6 years by December what is the rush for Huduma..secondly I do not intent to travel until nxt year...epassport..ID let it be continuous exercise..like you rolled the bank notes one more year.
I was there 2 weeks ago. This is a camping site for Kenya meet-ups. The process was very slow and unorganized. The red device needs to be charged after processing few people. Can somebody pass in Best Buy and get them chargers with long cable. e-passport was the slowest because they have to verify with Nairobi office.
This huduma number process is sooo frustrating.Computers shut done when l was there, them following day was idd holiday which should have been posted and highlighted in web site.Total l spent for airticket? Hotel and ground transportation $800 yet they say it is free. Not for us in diaspora.
Thats why am glad i have a US passport. I’d rather pay for that entry visa in my messed up home country where a basic system like passport processing simply doesnt work. I will go to DC when all that mess subsides. Also Huduma number can kiss my.....
Not surprised at all and will stay put until the Uhuru puts things in order. Its so frustrating to travel for hours only to be greeted by a camping Kenyan population begging to be served at their own embassy.. the worst part of it all the staff are always unavailable to even offer assistance over the phone. Kweli kuwa mkenya ni kuvumilia
Sad, most of us have tight schedule and I feel like they shouldn't have put a deadline but instead let the exercise be open such that when one have time they can go for them same because at some point one may compelled to have the two. I just learned from a friend who come to work late of the ongoing for the exercise, I had no idea that we too are supposed to have the number. The way they are putting deadlines means their is an hidden agenda for the gov't.tell them to style up please kindly
Kenya is truly ran by Cartels and this is a clear cut example of how Cartels treat its citizens by threats and demands. Force Kenyans on the huduma number aka master card without parliaments consent...set a deadline for e passport without proper facilities to cater to the thousands of Kenyans living abroad especially in the US who give billions of shillings annually and still can't vote abroad....this will render thousands of Kenyans abroad stranded and won't be able to travel. Drain the swamp...its time for a revolution
Waingereza walisema, "The straw that broke the camel's back." Wakenya wameumia sana kwenda kujisajili (register) kwenye mfumo ambao haufanyi kazi ipasavyo.
Jubilee imekwisha kabisa 2022. Uzembe (negligence) na ufisadi umemaliza chama hiki cha siasa katika nchi ya Kenya kabisa.
THE KENYA GOVERNMENT NEED TO CLARIFY THE KENYANS WHY THERE IS DEADLINE SET FOR THESE TWO IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE DEADLINES FOR EPASSPORTS NOR HUDUMA. IF SOMEONE HAS AN AMAWER
I cannot believe people with doctorates are amongst those going through these frustrations! Kwani you guys live under a rock? Who told you (& other Kenyans trooping to DC) that Kenya Government evolved & became efficient in it’s ways? What these frustrations clearly show is the sad reality of our republic - that all citizens, including the brightest, have been herded together like buffalos for easier control. What the heck is Huduma Namba? Exactly what will a Huduma Namba do that an improved version of the very efficient National ID system cannot? WHAT IS THE RATIONALE FOR A HUDUMA NAMBA?? Can someone please help me understand? And after Matiang’i said it wasn’t mandatory, why would they make it part of the passport application process?
For once, Kenyans have had an excellent opportunity to express their discontentment with Uhuru’s government by soundly declining to register for this number. I think the plight of Kenyans is sealed - the average Kenyan is an idiot who doesn’t think or care about his / her own interest as well as that of his / her fellow Kenyans. After pillaging the country to the bone, these politicians must be really enjoying the last laugh watching gullible Kenyans line up & sometimes even bribe officials in order to obtain a number they don’t even understand. We are simply dumber than rocks. I ain’t boarding
Agree. I am in 254 right now and am not bothering with the hudums thing coz I don't understand it's purpose yet. I am only interested in the e-passport, but I can afford to wait another year before I need it. Paying for a ticket and hotel for hudums sounds dumb right now.
No cooment. Just praying for Kenya!
I will never forget that day in my life Monday 6/17/18 . I had drove from Delaware to DC with my children, We queued outside from 9am- 4pm and the heat was 90 degrees F. But worst part of it, those clerks there had a list of invisible people, some people were taken straight inside without queuing, I mean you had to know someone or be ‘kiherehere’ I never expected this to happen here in US, they same thing happens back home in government offices. They were very disorganized they kept on saying those tablets they were using were out of charge or they were frozen 🙄. One of the clerk kept on messing with lines and didn’t want listen to us. It was unbelievable. We were sent home and told to come the following day. They need a new plans and new staff.
Government services should be ongoing. People get born and attain the legal age nearly every day. Why the heck do they set a deadline for.and if they do why not set the infrastructure needed to achieve it.
Dada @Rose Maina:
Usikate tamaa Dada, baada ya 2022, tutawachagua wachapa kazi wapya nchini na kenya itafufuka tena.
Jambo lililo muhimu ni kuhakikisha ya kwamba wanabunge na viongozi WOTE tulio nao sasa, wameondolewa kazini kabisa.
Crazy kenya...
Well that e passport can wait another 2yrs.hopefully they'll be organized then. Still don't know what I need a huduma# for.what does it do for me?
I am shocked, very shocked that this process is a cluster. How could anyone have foreseen this?. Haidhuru lazima iwe vile mungu anataka. Nothing could have been done.