Huduma Centres Begin Offering First-Time ID Registration Nationwide

Huduma Kenya has begun issuing first-time national identity cards at selected Huduma Centres across the country.

This has expanded access to a service previously available only through the National Registration Bureau offices. The new arrangement, announced in a government notice dated 7 November, aims to make ID registration more accessible by allowing applicants to complete the process at Huduma Centres instead of travelling to county commissioner offices. 

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to decentralise essential government services and reduce the logistical challenges faced by citizens seeking official identification. Huduma Centres, established under the 2013 Huduma Kenya Programme, operate as one-stop service points for a range of government functions, including NHIF and NSSF registration, KRA PIN applications, passport processing, and police clearance certificates. 

With more than 50 centres now in operation nationwide, the network is expected to handle the additional responsibility of processing first-time ID applications efficiently. The rollout covers both major towns and remote regions, including centres in Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nairobi’s Kibra and Makadara, as well as in counties such as Samburu, Tana River, and West Pokot. 

This distribution is intended to promote equal access to identification services and reduce regional disparities. Applicants must present their birth certificate and a parent’s or guardian’s national ID to begin the registration process. 

The national identity card remains an essential document in Kenya, serving as proof of citizenship and enabling access to education, employment, healthcare, financial services, and voting rights. The expansion aligns with broader public service reforms led by the Ministry of Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management. 

The ministry has positioned the Huduma model as a key part of its strategy to enhance efficiency, transparency and citizen satisfaction in government service delivery.