Matiang'i presents Uhuru with first Huduma Namba card

President Uhuru Kenyatta has indicated that Huduma Namba cards are now ready for rollout to Kenyans.

He was speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Gusii stadium in Kisii County today.

"We are now ready to start issuing cards to Kenyans...so that they can start getting them online and stop the long queues in government offices," the president said.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i then presented Mr Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta with the first sample Huduma Namba cards.

Dr Matiang'i said the Niims (National Integrated Identity Management System) process is now complete and awaiting rollout after Parliament vets and approves the Data Commissioner. 

The card rollout process will then take off soon after, he said, in accordance with court orders.

Appointee

The unveiling of the country's first Huduma Namba cards comes just a week after Mr Kenyatta nominated IEBC Director of Voter Registration and Election Operations, Immaculate Kassait, to become the country’s first Data Commissioner.

After the announcement, House Speaker Justin Muturi directed the Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation chaired by Marakwet West MP William Kisang to undertake her approval hearings and table its report to Parliament within the required timelines.

According to the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, the National Assembly has 21 days from the date the President’s message was communicated to consider the nomination.

The Committee is now seeking views from the public on the suitability of Ms Kassait for the key job.

The Data Commissioner is a creation of the Data Protection Act, signed into law by President Kenyatta on November 8, 2019. The Act gives effect to Article 31 (c) and (d) of the Constitution, which proclaims the right to privacy.

Additional reporting by David Mwere