Government to Seek Your Consent to Collect Personal Data

Do you still remember Huduma Namba? Are you wondering where the then heated shenanigans went to? Well, it still exists.

The Government has decided that it will only collect your personal data after it has sought permission from you.

According to the new policy by the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology, those willing to object the collection of their personal data by the government can have their way by writing a proposal or filling a form.

The written proposal (form) will give details as to why you object collection of your information by the government. The Ministry will then remove your personal data from the National Information and Integrated System (NIIMS) and the Huduma Namba.

“A civil registration entity shall seek consent from a data subject for processing of personal data at the time the personal data is collected,” read the policy.

“A civil registration entity shall…collect personal data which it is permitted to collect by the data subject, undertake steps to ensure the quality of personal data and undertake processes to secure personal data.”

Kenyans willing to provide their personal information to the Government will have the option of registering for a Huduma Card.

The Huduma card will present you four categories which you will choose from that is minors above the age of six, adults above 16 years, foreigners and refugees.

“For purposes of establishing proof of identity, the presentation of the Huduma Card or Huduma Namba authenticated by biometrics shall constitute sufficient proof.”

The new policy is an effort by the ICT Ministry to reduce the number of flaws it had during the registration of the Huduma Number which was met by criticism from the public.

In 2019, some civil rights organizations had gone to court to challenge the implementation of the Huduma Namba system. The court had to stop the continuation of the process after it established the process was erratic.