In Kenya the registration of births and deaths has been carried out since 1904 under the Births and Deaths Act cap 149 and the Registration of Persons.
Act cap 107 and other legislations on management of Citizens and Aliens
In 2005, the Government of Kenya (GoK) initiated the registration of persons
using a harmonized approach to address duplication and cut costs. This exercise has been managed and coordinated by the Integrated Population Registration System (IPRS).
To improve on the progress made by IPRS, the Government, through Executive Order No. 1 of (2018), and The Statute law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2018,Sec. 9A established the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) programme, code-named Huduma Namba.
What is National Integrated Identity Management System/Huduma Namba?
NIIMS/HN is a national programme for registration of all Kenyan citizens and
foreign nationals in the country.
The huduma will establish central master population register, that will be the
authentic ‘single source of truth’ on a person’s identity.
Functions of NIIMS/Huduma Namba
- To create, manage, maintain and operate a national population register as a single source of personal information of all Kenya citizens and foreigners residing in the country.
- To assign a unique national identification number to every person
registered. - To harmonize, incorporate and collate into the register, information from other data bases in the government agencies relating to registration of persons.
- To support the printing and distribution for collection of all national identification cards, foreigner certificates, births and deaths certificates, driving licenses, work permits, passports and foreign travel documentation, student identification cards issued under the Births and Deaths Registration Act, Basic Education Act, Registration
of Persons Act, Basic Education Act, Refugees Act, Traffic Act and the
Kenya Citizenship and the Immigration Act and all other forms of government issued identification documentation as may be specified by the cabinet secretary. - To prescribe, in consultation with the various relevant issuing authorities
a format of identification document to capture the various forms of information contained in the identification documents for purposes of issuance of a single document where applicable. - To verify and authenticate information relating to the registration and
identification of persons. - To collate information obtained under this act and reproduce it as may be
required from time to time. - To ensure the preservation protection and security of any information or
data collected, obtained and maintained or stored in the register. - To correct errors in registration details, if so required by a person or on its
own initiative to ensure that the information is accurate, complete, up to
date and not misleading. - To perform such other duties which are necessary for expedient for the discharge of functions under this act.
Structure of NIIMS/HN
- National Steering Committee
- National Technical Committee
- National Secretariat
- Technology Sub Committee
- Registration Sub Committee
- Legal Sub Committee
- Communications Sub Committee
- Budget and Logistics Sub Committee
4. 47 County Committees
Registration Methodology for NIIMS/HN
This will involve:
- Mobile registration moving from home to home and mobile centres like shopping centres,
- Visit to institutional facilities like prisons, hospitals
- The information will be captured by Use of Biometric kits and data capture
forms and will involve a one on one interview with those to be registered. - There will be physical and actual capture of biometric including finger prints and facial features- children below 6 years will not have their biometrics captured.
- All Kenyan citizens and foreign nationals in Kenya must be registered.
NIIMS/HN Registration Form Filling Details
The niims registration form will collect the following information from you during registration;
- Bio data information
- Nationality (Citizen, Foreigner, Dual Citizen)
- Parent/ guardian details
- Place of birth
- Marital status
- Education details
- Employment status
- Disability
- Agricultural activities
- Biometric details
- Your Photo
Benefits of NIIMS/HN
- A National biometric population register of all Kenyan citizens and foreign
nationals residing in Kenya will be established. This will be used for planning purposes. - Enhanced existing national registration databases in Kenya.
- Harmonized persons’ identity data across different domains.
- Easy access to government services through the Huduma Namba.
- A national reference frame for stakeholders to facilitate respective
registrations such as farmer registration, registration for universal health care (NHIF) registration of driving licenses. - Coordinated registration of persons.
- Address duplication in registration and reduce operational costs, detect and prevent fraud, impersonation or any other crime.
- An enabler of the big four (4) Agenda.
NIIMS/HN and the Big Four (4) Agenda
- 100% Food and Nutrition Security NIIMS will facilitate biometric identification and registration of farmers NIIMS will inform access to subsidized farm inputs (seeds, fertilizers)
- Access to Universal Healthcare.   NIIMS will enhance access to healthcare through NHIF registration. NIIMS will identify fraudulent persons through inaccurate data
- Affordable Housing.             NIIMS will inform planning and investment in affordable housing
- Manufacturing.                  NIIMS will identify sources of raw materials for manufacturing. NIIMS will identify SMEs and skills gaps in employment.
What are the consequences of failing to register?
A person without Huduma Namba will not access government services including;registration/renewal/replacement of National Identification Card;
- Application for Passport; Application/renewal for driving license, Birth certificate;
- Enrol for cash transfer for the elderly, subsidized farm inputs and other cash services under the Big 4 Agenda like affordable housing among others.