'Huduma Namba was a complete fraud,' Ruto says as he promises new digital ID in 90 days

Dr Ruto on Friday termed the project "a complete fraud" as he announced that the government will roll out a similar project within 90 days.

"That Huduma Namba was a complete fraud because we lost almost Ksh.15 billion and got very little out of it," said Dr Ruto.

The Huduma Namba digital ID was supposed to be a unique and permanent Personal Identification Number randomly assigned to every resident individual at birth or upon registration/enrolment and would only expire or be retired upon the death of the individual.

President Ruto spoke at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) during the unveiling of over 5,000 digital government services on the eCitizen Kenya Portal dubbed 'Gava Mkononi.'

Dr Ruto was taken around different government agencies and was shown how they are digitising their programmes and how this will make it easier for Kenyans to access government services.

The Head of State said that, unlike Huduma Namba, his government will launch its digital ID project at a much less price tag.

"We must demonstrate in the next 90 days that it is possible for us to have a digital ID without spending Ksh.15 billion and without defrauding the people of Kenya," said President Ruto.

"Those who did that should be ashamed of themselves."

The Gava Mkononi App is being touted as one that will enhance access to government services and improve revenue collection and service delivery.

The services will be streamlined with the rollout of Gava Express modelled along Huduma Centers and will provide services at the grassroots level.

Gava Express will be driven in partnership with the private sector and targets the establishment of over 300,000 outlets.