Some Gov't institutions to be abolished if Huduma Bill sails through

Some government institutions that have for years provided key services to Kenyans may soon be abolished if the Huduma Bill 2021 comes into law.

The bill provides for the establishment of a database that will rope in key functions at the desk of the Interior Principal Secretary.

It is nearly one week since Parliament published the Huduma Bill 2021, after the issuance of a public notice.

The proposed law provides for the establishment of the National Integrated Identity Management System database, which will lead to the establishment of Huduma Namba and Huduma Card.

On the administration of the National Integrated Identity Management System, the Huduma Bill seeks to abolish some key government departments which include those in charge of registration of births and deaths, National ID and Immigration, placing them squarely at the Interior Principal Secretary's desk.

The Bill sponsored by National Assembly Majority leader Amos Kimunya has however received objection from various quarters.

“I’m aware that there’s a Huduma Bill, and that Huduma Bill is extremely dangerous because it will convert all immigration officers into nymphs. How dare you say that a passport is a primary document? It is not a primary document, we know that what is a primary document is a national ID and the birth certificate,” said Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina.

In a memorandum, the Directorate of Immigration Services has faulted the bill which seeks to lump together government agencies whose functions are separate and distinct.

The directorate says the database is a national population register and cannot on its own replace immigration functions.

It also fears proposed changes will impact negatively on careers of immigration officers and affect donor support of studies related to immigration. It now wants public participation in the process.

The Huduma Bill also proposes that IEBC uses its database as the source of the main voter register, causing more outrage across the country.