Nubian group opposes use of new ID system
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang (facing camera from left), Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno, Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Abdi Hassan and Turbo Sub-County Administrator Wilson Sawe give their details to workers from Huduma Namba on February 18, 2019. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
A second lobby group has moved to court to challenge the implementation of the National Integrated Identity Management System (Niims).
The Nubian Rights Forum has sued the Attorney-General and Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i over the disputed platform aimed at digitising and centralising the vital life event records of citizens and foreigners in Kenya.
The group argued that several queries are still pending on the legal amendments that saw the creation of Niims, adding, there are no provisions on how the data will be collected.
The forum claimed that using the new platform in marginalised areas will be difficult and unfair.
“Since the sued parties have failed to address the problems faced under the simpler registration system, introducing the more complex one will leave people from marginalised areas unable to complete registration, rendering them unable to benefit from any public services,” the lobby's lawyer, Mr Yussuf Bashir, said.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission has also sued the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Attorney-General, the Interior and Information Cabinet Secretaries, and the Kenya Law Reform over Niims.
The government intends to roll out its pilot phase in several parts of the country on February 15.
