Samburu residents want more time for Huduma listing

Defence Principal Secretary Torome Saitoti (in tie) witnesses Huduma Namba registration outside chief’s office in Maralal town, Samburu County on May 2, 2014. Most people in the county are yet to register. PHOTO | JOHNSTON KETI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Residents said a shortage of registration staff has greatly contributed to slow listing in the town.
  • Mr Saitoti urged locals who are not yet registered, together with their children, to do so.
  • The PS revealed that 40 percent of Samburu County’s total population has so far registered.

People who have not registered for the Huduma Namba in Samburu County have asked the government to extend registration period for them to acquire the document.

Solomon Wanyeki, a resident of Maralal, said a shortage of registration staff has greatly contributed to slow listing in the town.

“Those doing the registration are forced to go home very late in the evening before serving all people on the queue. I therefore ask the national government to extend the registration period or employ more registration officers to ensure everyone in this county is registered,” he said.

The residents made the appeal on Thursday when Defence Principal Secretary Torome Saitoti officially launched the registration at Kenyatta Stadium in Maralal town.

SERVICE DELIVERY

Mr Saitoti urged locals who are not yet registered, together with their children, to do so, saying the Huduma Namba is intended for improving delivery of services and enhancing accuracy of government records of citizens.

“It would be easier and faster to process a national identification card for a person who was registered on Niims as well as processing a passport or a driving license as the government would be already having their information on a database,” he said.

The PS revealed that 40 percent of Samburu County’s total population has so far registered for the Huduma Namba.

He said that the government will make a decision on whether or not it will extend the registration period after the May 17 deadline.