Kenyans online denounce Huduma Namba for Passports directive
Kenyans online have taken issue with Immigration Principal Secretary Gordon Kihalangwa’s warning that citizens without Huduma Namba will not be allowed to apply for passports.
On Tuesday, Mr Kihalangwa said that Kenyans who do not register in the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS), will not be able to acquire passports.
According to the PS, his department will be banking on the success of NIIMS as “a single source of truth” to weed out illegal immigrants.
“If you are not in NIIMS and you are applying for a passport, we will know very well that you are not a Kenyan,” said Kihalangwa.
GOVERNMENT THREATS
NIIMS is a mass biometric registration system to create, manage and store Kenya’s population data.
Upon registration, one is issued with the number that consolidates crucial documents such as identity card, driving licence, passport or alien cards.
The exercise was launched last week by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
But Kenyans online are however voicing their concerns over threats that those who fail to register will not access essential government services.
Here are some of their reactions:
Will KRA also show up and say those who don't have Huduma Number won't be able to pay taxes? Cos we are here for that. https://t.co/qOksZkTQgu
— Galina Reznikov (@RookieKE) April 10, 2019
So @ImmigrationDept this is illegal and unacceptable. You cannot deny Kenyans services because they didn't and won't register for NIIMS. This is illegal. Illegal. ILLEGAL!!!! https://t.co/KdOaVIYDZU
— Scheaffer Okore (@scheafferoo) April 9, 2019
This is blackmail. We must resist. Reminds me of the hut tax, when colonialists, after grabbing the land, imposed a tax on the original occupants, and those who refused to work (work meant paying the tax) for the colonialists were tortured. Colonialism 2.0. @DavidNdii https://t.co/r16IocBc7b
— Rasna Warah (@RasnaWarah) April 10, 2019
Threatening Kenyans to register for this rubbish won’t put food on our tables.
— Kadibo Republik (@ayieko_nyakoyo) April 9, 2019
That is complete Rubbish ! We have LAWS in this country , we will not be ruled at the whims of men.
— Sankara (@MaragaDv) April 9, 2019
So the court order was just music
— Derick Munene. (@Mderick_) April 10, 2019
If it’s worth it, why threaten Kenyans on registering?! For me #ImNotBoarding . The court made itself clear on this.
— P Kim™ (@_PKim_) April 10, 2019
Why are threats being used?If it is good thing then we don’t need coercion.
— Elvis Nyambu (@msaghulwa) April 9, 2019
What is wrong with is country, Court orders have no meaning or sway whatsoever.
— mohamud mohammed (@moabikar) April 10, 2019