President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to launch mass digital registration of persons on Tuesday at Masii Boys High School in Machakos, an exercise that is seeking to produce a unique number for government services.
A court battle has already been launched by two lobby groups; Kenya Human Rights Commission and Kenya National Human Rights Commission, a move that could see dragging of Sh7.2 billion project by the interior Ministry.
On Monday, High Court Judges Mumbi Ngugi, Weldon Korir and Pauline Nyamweya issued conservatory orders before the kick off of the Huduma Namba registration. Here are five things that you must know.
1. The exercise will commence as planned. The court petition seeking to stop government from going ahead with the exercise was dismissed at least for now.
2. Registration of people in the National Integrated Identity Management System is not a must. Government will not compel anyone to register despite the exercise being rolled out in all sub locations across the country.
3. Whether you register or not, government services must be given indiscriminately. The government had warned that those who may not register, will not receive any government services. The court ruling has barred the government from discrimination of people.
4. The government will not collect DNA samples and GPS coordinates from those who will show up for registration. In the same note, government will not share details to any foreign organisations for the sake of privacy.
5. The government of Kenya should not have deadlines for registration. Initially, all Kenyans were expected to register within 45 days. This means that for now, the exercise will go on without timelines.
While Uhuru will be launching the exercise in Machakos, Raila Odinga will be in Mombasa and DP William Ruto at Kakamega. Musalia Mudavadi will be in Kajiado and Kalonzo Musyoka at Murang'a on Tuesday.