Agency says Huduma bill unlawful

Kenya’s Immigration Department has opposed the enactment of the Huduma Bill 2021, terming it unconstitutional.

The controversial Bill proposes key amendments on nine laws, among them the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act that establishes the Immigration department.

Immigration department, a State agency, warned Parliament against passing the Bill, as it will negate gains made. Officials made the presentation during a public participation session to the Administration and National Security Committee of the National Assembly yesterday.

Robert Aswani of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), said the Bill is unconstitutional and that if it becomes law in its current form, it will weaken gains made in the department.

“This Bill is a recipe for chaos. It will be a blunder to have it enacted in its current form,” Aswani told the committee chaired Teso North MP Oku Kaunya.

The Bill, which is in its First reading, seeks to establish the National Integration Identity Management System (NIIMS), a central database where Government agencies and other entities can access database in the provision of services.

Bill seeks to remove the whole directorate of Immigration services including abolishing the position of Director-General of Immigration Department and replacing immigration officers with NIIMS officers.

“This will be detrimental as the directorate of Immigration is well versed with matters to do with the sector,” cautioned Aswani.

Bill also recommends to establish a NIIMS coordination committee where the Director-General of Immigration is not included.