Hundred Years of Servitude. From Kipande to Huduma Namba in Kenya

Abstract

In 2019, or 2020, it will be one hundred years since the Registration of Natives Ordinance (No. 19 of 1920) came into effect in Kenya and the first ’kipande’ was issued (there is some uncertainty about the actual launch year). This year (2019) Kenya’s people over six years of age have to get registered again, for a citizen service number — ‘huduma namba’. Notwithstanding the connotation of the control of the movement of males for employment purposes, Kenyans have stuck to using the name 'kipande' for their national ID, which is now being replaced by a credential issued by the Huduma Namba (service number') program.