The government will phase out the current National Identification cards ID cards by December 12, 2021, in favour of the new Huduma Namba cards, ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru has today announced.

The Huduma Namba cards will start being issued to the public from December 1, 2020.

Kenyans will not access government services without the new document according to Mr Mucheru.

Kenyans who registered for the card will receive a text message notifying them where to collect the new card.

Kenyans on the internet have received the news with mixed reactions, here are some of those:-

If Huduma Namba will consolidate

1. My ID Number
2. My Birth Certficate
3. My NHIF Number
4. My NSSF Number
5. And many other Government numbers

Why should I refuse to take the #HudumaNamba? I want to walk around with one CARD/Number

Change is as good as rest!

— Lord Abraham Mutai (@ItsMutai) November 18, 2020

A government which cannot provide hospitals, oxygen and medicine for its MP’s let alone citizens, is now forcing you to get a Huduma Number as if it will cure us from COVID-19. No mention of the 300 Billion given by donors and development partners yet. pic.twitter.com/xoG28nOHFh

— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@CisN001) November 18, 2020

When IDs expire on 1/12/2021, what will happen to those who refused to register for Huduma number? Just asking for someone who said he will never register😅

— Benedict Owuor (@BenedictOwuor) November 18, 2020