Abstract
Identification
schemes are key enablers for the effective delivery of services and more
broadly for the quality of engagement between a country’s government and its
citizens. Legal identity is now recognized as an essential element of development;
target 16.9 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) refers to the provision
of universal legal identity, including through birth registration, by 2030.
Legal identity is central to the rights set out, for
example, in the Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of
the Child. In addition, effective identification is important for at least ten
of the other SDGs. This paper tends
to investigate the role of NIIMS, its challenges and benefits for presentation.
Key
words: Huduma number, NIIMS, Huduma
Namba
Introduction
The
concept of information management and provision of access has experienced good
progress in Kenya. However, some solvable problems by the same concept still
persist.
Passports, driver’s licenses, and employee ID cards are all
components of what might be referred to as identity management systems – i.e.,
they are credentials issued by an entity for the purpose of identifying
individuals, and they are used by such individuals to validate their identity
in order to enter into a transaction with a third party.
In Nigeria, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has
rolled out National Identity Management System (NIMS) to integrate several
government databases
including those for driving licenses, voter registration health insurance, taxes and pensions (BBC News, 2014)
including those for driving licenses, voter registration health insurance, taxes and pensions (BBC News, 2014)
Under the ID4D program identification systems are assessed
against three main criteria: the robustness of the credentials; how widely they
are held across the population, and whether the ID system is, in fact,
integrated into a wide range of uses. A fourth criterion is the strength of the
legal framework for data protection and the privacy of personal data. Measured
against the first three criteria, Kenya’s system has considerable strengths,
including the creation of a functioning national ID system with wide coverage.
Processes are ongoing to shift to a fully digital system and to expand the
scope of e-Governance. Efforts are also in progress to facilitate change
management and build the capacity of civil servants to cope with the rapidly
evolving digital ID ecosystem. For each of the three ID4D assessment criteria
the rating would be in the middle of the range
To offer government
services online in order to improve on governance, the following systems will be
developed as outlined in the vision 2030:
·
Pensions Management Information System (PMIS);
·
A Company Registry and e-voting; digitized court recording;
·
Geographic Information System (GIS);
·
digitization of archival resources at the Kenya National
Archives;
·
Land Registry System;
·
Electronic Banking Systems,
·
District Management Information System (DMIS) and
·
Integrated Population Registration System (IPRS)
Legislative Framework
Identification
and registration of citizens has been carried out in Kenya since 1904 though
registration of Births and Deaths 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,
efficiency and reduced tax payers money. 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.
Statement of the problem
Huduma
Namba is a programme which was initiated through Executive Order No. 1 of 2018
to create and manage a Central Master Population Register which will be the
authentic ‘source of truth’ of identity of all persons residing in Kenya. The
aim of the Huduma namba is develop a national biometric population database of
all persons in Kenya and to assign a personal unique identification to
facilitate access to government services. However, there has been more
complains raised by the public which can not be ignored. This has triggered
this paper .
Purpose
of the study
The purpose of this aimed at investigating the role
of Huduma namba, benefits and the challenges
Methodology
This
was a conceptual paper which reviewed literature and also highlighted the views
and opinions of the researchers in line with challenges and opportunities of
NIIMS
National Integrated Information
Management System.
NIIMS
is a national programme for registration of all Kenyan citizens and foreign
nationals in the country NIIMS will establish central master population
register, that will be the authentic ‘single source of truth’ on a person’s
identity.
NIMS
envision to be a single national custodian of persons' identification data in
Kenya. It aim to conduct a National Biometric Registration of all Kenyan
citizens and foreign nationals residing in the country for enhanced service
delivery
Problems with the previous Identity
management system.
Identification systems are assessed against three main criteria:
·
The robustness of the
credentials;
·
How widely they are held
across the population, and
·
Whether the ID system is,
in fact,
integrated into a wide range of uses.
integrated into a wide range of uses.
·
A fourth criterion is the
strength of the legal framework for data protection and the privacy of personal
data.
Measured against the first three criteria, Kenya’s system has
considerable strengths, including the creation of a functioning national ID
system with wide coverage. Processes are ongoing to shift to a fully digital
system and to expand the scope of e-Governance. Efforts are also in progress to
facilitate change management and build the capacity of civil servants to cope
with the rapidly evolving digital ID ecosystem.
For each of the three assessment criteria the rating would be in
the middle of the range. Nevertheless, areas for improvement have been
identified. The system has a number of limitations:
A. Lack
of a strong integrated focus. The
components of the registration/identification system have traditionally
functioned in silos, each with its specific mandate. Unlike countries such as
Peru or Pakistan, Kenya does not have a single authority mandated to provide
identification services across the population. This implies considerable
duplication of registration facilities as well as disjointed data from the
various agencies. There is also no unique “number for life” to identify
individuals from cradle
to grave.
to grave.
B. Limited
registration coverage and application gaps. Estimated
rates of birth and death registration, at 63% and 45% respectively, are too low
to provide a solid foundation for the national registration system. Coverage of
the ID card system is probably quite high (poor death registration makes it
impossible to distinguish the number of active cards from the number issued)
but it appears to be lower in the poorest and border areas, particularly in the
North, that have the lowest rates of birth registration and the highest
percentage of vulnerable people and are also of the greatest concern from a
security perspective.
The use of the system to support e-Government applications on a decentralized basis, including through the Huduma centers, is constrained by still-limited connectivity. Not all users (administrators of various services) of ID services have full access to the consolidated population registration data that enables a check of the validity of an ID card.
The use of the system to support e-Government applications on a decentralized basis, including through the Huduma centers, is constrained by still-limited connectivity. Not all users (administrators of various services) of ID services have full access to the consolidated population registration data that enables a check of the validity of an ID card.
C. Outdated
technology: manual processes and paper records. The system has only recently begun to evolve from paper-based to
digital processes and from paper records to digital databases with some
important components still needing to be scanned and digitized. Some key
databases lack emergency backup and/or off-site backup. The heavy reliance on
manual processes, as well as weak birth and death registration and an ID number
without check digits increases the potential for error and possible ID fraud.
A.
A focus on verifying documents rather than authenticating people. The biometric data collected in the process of registration,
i.e. 10 fingerprints and photo, is not readily accessible to help authenticate
individuals against their ID credentials. As a result several programs have developed, or are
developing, independent biometric systems for this purpose, raising the
prospect of costly
incompatible systems. The problem of individual identification (as opposed to the validation of credentials) will become more urgent as the system shifts to remote applications.
E. An evolving legal framework. The increasing accumulation of personal data in electronic formats raises the importance of strengthening the legal framework around data privacy. Kenya does not yet have data protection legislation as the 2012 Data Protection Bill is still under consideration. Kenya will need to pass legislation covering data protection and the privacy of personal data, and to ensure that its identification system is fully compliant with its requirements.
F. The need to look ahead. All of these issues are relevant in the context of the current system of
registration and identification. They are also important as Kenya looks to the future, towards its “ThirdGeneration” ID system. Even as Kenya is able to impart valuable lessons to other countries, it may be
able to learn from the experience of selected countries that have introduced improved approaches
and in some cases new technology to create more advanced identification systems
incompatible systems. The problem of individual identification (as opposed to the validation of credentials) will become more urgent as the system shifts to remote applications.
E. An evolving legal framework. The increasing accumulation of personal data in electronic formats raises the importance of strengthening the legal framework around data privacy. Kenya does not yet have data protection legislation as the 2012 Data Protection Bill is still under consideration. Kenya will need to pass legislation covering data protection and the privacy of personal data, and to ensure that its identification system is fully compliant with its requirements.
F. The need to look ahead. All of these issues are relevant in the context of the current system of
registration and identification. They are also important as Kenya looks to the future, towards its “ThirdGeneration” ID system. Even as Kenya is able to impart valuable lessons to other countries, it may be
able to learn from the experience of selected countries that have introduced improved approaches
and in some cases new technology to create more advanced identification systems
Roles of NIIMS
ü 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.
ü To
assign a unique national identification number to every person registered.
ü To
harmonize, incorporate and collate into the register, information from other
data bases in the government agencies relating to registration of persons.
ü 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.
ü 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.
ü 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
ü To
ensure the preservation protection and security of any information or data
collected, obtained and maintained or stored in the register.
ü 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 and;
ü To
perform such other duties which are necessary for expedient for the discharge
of functions under the act.
Benefits of NIIMS/Huduma Number
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.
ü Enhanced
existing national registration databases in Kenya
ü Harmonized persons’ identity data across
different domains
ü Easy access to government services through the
Huduma Namba
ü A national reference frame for stakeholders to
facilitate respective registrations such as farmer registration, registration
for universal health care (NHIF) registration of driving licenses
ü Coordinated registration of persons
ü Address
duplication in registration and reduce operational costs, detect and prevent
fraud, impersonation or any other crime.
ü An enabler of the big four (4)
Agenda.
·
Agenda
1. 100% Food and Nutrition Security.
NIIMS will facilitate biometric identification
and registration of farmers NIIMS will inform access to subsidized farm inputs
(seeds, fertilizers)
·
Agenda
2. Access to Universal Healthcare.
NIIMS will enhance access to healthcare
through NHIF registration NIIMS will identify fraudulent persons through
inaccurate data
·
Agenda
3. Affordable Housing.
NIIMS will inform planning and investment in
affordable housing
·
Agenda
4. Manufacturing.
NIIMS will identify sources of raw materials
for manufacturing NIIMS will identify SMEs and skills gaps in employment
Suitability of NIIMS
§ NIIMS
registration will continue after the mass registration exercise.
§ The
Assistant Chiefs will remain with the registration gadgets and continue
registering new born and any other persons who will have been left out in the
mass registration exercise.
§ Those
who will have attained 6 years will also have their biometrics captured.
§ Harmonization
and integration of NIIMS with other systems.
§ Real
time capture of births and deaths as they occur
Challenges
§ Fear
from Kenyan that the Huduma namba is aimed at nailing those with criminal
records, however, this might be true to some extent as it will be easy to track
the criminals. Those released from jail were reluctant in registering due to
poor record.
§ Rumors
that it is will be used to get those who do not file their returns or submit
tax. This has led to reluctant by citizens to accept the Huduma namba
§ Myths
that Huduma namba is the satanic 666 in the Holy bible. This rumors hit the
social media which came from some religious pastor. This is not the case .
§ Rumors
that this is a new scheme by the government to drive rigging of elections. This
has sparked resistance by the citizens.
§ Lack
of awareness by citizen. Mobilization which was to be done from 1st
Oct 2018 to 10th may 2019 was not well done. This is because the
Huduma namba have come to the public a in April. This have resulted to lack of
awareness about the program by the citizens. Civic education was not properly
done
§ Slow
registration process. The process of registration have been hampered by failure
in biometric kit and to some stations taking up to 30 minutes to register a
single person as opposed to 6 minutes expected. This slow the process and
result to impatient among the citizens.
§ Incorrect
data in the register. Some citizens could go to register but in the process
they are informed their location, division or sub location is not in the
register e.g Shamata location not in the register. The make them to register
with the neighboring area. The is a clear indication of the inconsistency in
register. This is a very serious issue that need attention during data clean-up
as may result to poor planning hampering decision making. E.g some area may be
allocated little resources especially when people in that area register in the
neighboring areas increasing the population.
This should be fixed as
it might lead to false information which may led to many legal suits as giving
false information and declaring it to be correct is punishable under section
129 (a) of penal code.
§ Lack
of proper familiarization with the registration kits by the clerks also affected
the process. Proper orientation of process ought to have been done.
§ Some
men who have 'mistresses' (mpango
wa kando) feared to register so their property will not be brought to the open
and be subdivided between his wife and mistresses.
§ Legal
suit. The Kenya National Human Rights Commission and two others had filed
a petition, where LSK was enjoined as an interested party, challenging the
coming into effect of the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2018 that
introduced changes to the Registration of Persons Act that brought in
the National Integrity Identity Management System (Niims), popularly known
as the Huduma Namba. In the court ruling, judges Pauline Nyamweya, Mumbi Ngugi
and Weldon Korir barred the government from making the registration mandatory,
setting deadlines for the listing, denying public services to any unregistered
Kenyan, and sharing any information collected with third parties.
Those
who will not register for the Huduma namba will not be able to get the
following services as highlighted by inter-ministerial committee on Huduma
namba
·
Registration of
birth certificates,
·
NSSF ,
·
Cash
transfer to the elderly,
·
Subsidized farm inputs among others.
·
Applying and renewal
of government documents
The
long awaited digital era is here and promising benefits to Kenyan citizen. This
will lead to a new database of information for citizen. This record should be
used in budgeting and planning to determine budget allocation to County
government based on the number of residents in that county. This will be a
milestone in achieving equality in resource allocation.
References
Nigeria Launches
National Electronic ID Cards”, BBC News (August 8, 2014)
Registration of Persons
Act CAP 107 of the Laws of Kenya: 1947 revised 2018
About the Author
Douglas Mwangi Maina is a Masters student in
the school of Information Science and Technology, Kisii University, Kenya. He is an archivist and a Certified Records Management Analyst (CRMA) and also hold CPA(Sec 4). You can reach him on 0717834480. Email:mainamwangi1989@gmail.com
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