Barely two months ago, Kenyans were in a big scare following government’s threats on the registration of Citizens into the National Integrated Information Management system (NIIMS) using a unique number dubbed huduma namba.
Kenyans woke as early as 3:00 am to beat the government’s deadlines in May this year as others chose to boycott the registration process.
Well, then you were wrong. Kenyans were notified of missing crucial government services should they not have huduma namba, which is now coming into reality soon.
The Government has proposed a bill that will lock out individuals without Huduma Namba from crucial services that are offered by the government.
The draft Huduma Bill 2019 seeks to make Huduma Namba compulsory.
The Government has proposed a bill that will lock out individuals without Huduma Namba from healthcare services and participating in the country’s election among other essential services.
What is your opinion on this bill?#HudumaNamba pic.twitter.com/MEBYDTeA8M
— ktn (@KTNKenya) July 18, 2019
The number is mandatory in paying taxes and accessing all government services including universal healthcare, renewal of driving licences, application for electricity connectivity, registration of a mobile number, opening of a bank account among others.
Enrolling your children into a public educational facility will be impossible without listing yourself under the National Integrated Identity Management System.
You will also not sell or buy land, or even acquire a passport without the vital document. For business people to transact in the financial markets they will be required to provide their Huduma card.
#HudumaBill2019 let's wait and watch @RailaOdinga @TheODMparty @CoalitionNASAKe @skmusyoka @MusaliaMudavadi and CORRUPT COMPROMISED @NAssemblyKE SUPPORT THIS MADNESS AND STUPIDITY @HudumaKenya #HudumaNamba SCAM @UKenyatta @StateHouseKenya NONSENSE pic.twitter.com/S2PGiZAYke
— Timothy Mutua (@TimothyMutua19) July 17, 2019
When the rollout was being done, Kenyans were all over social media protesting, with some saying that they were ready for consequences that were to come with boycotting the process.
Well, are you aware that there is a punishment? Any individual who wants to transact the listed services without the Huduma Namba will be jailed for one year or pay a fine of Ksh1 million, while unlawful production of the document will see one spend three years behind bars or Ksh3 million fine.
Individuals who give false information or make a false statement when providing information for entry into the NIIMS database will also face a Ksh5 million penalty or five years in jail.
Kenyans are now again all over social media protesting against the bill. Some are questioning if there are any data protection laws in the country.
Someone balance me here- do we have data protection laws in Kenya today?
Imagine if huduma number was available during Cambride Analytica 2017 election exploits!🤔
Now fast fwd 2022 without data protection laws🤷🏽♂️#JKLive #HudumaBill2019 #HudumaNamba pic.twitter.com/rszrDdQDUA
— ping pong official 🇰🇪 (@pauliddiali) July 17, 2019
Some are even arguing that huduma namba is all about Raising Tax revenues and social control in a scheme to cater for the ever rising national debt.
Government DESPERATELY pushing and are under IMMENSE PRESSURE from the World Bank. #HudumaNamba SCAM was a DISASTER and are changing tact to get the Data. Corruption by LEGISLATION KRA behind it. It's all about Raising Tax REVENUES and SOCIAL CONTROL Chinese Communist Party Style pic.twitter.com/HnlbYWhhpW
— Timothy Mutua (@TimothyMutua19) July 17, 2019
What is your opinion on the proposed Huduma Bill 2019?