The government has called out Aljazeera over story published on Wednesday over the ongoing Huduma Namba registration.
In the story titled, “If you are a Kenyan citizen, your private data is not safe,” the international media mentioned that the Kenyan government had a deal with MasterCard to link the Huduma Namba to a prepaid card.
The story written by Nanjala Nyabola further stated that the details being collected from the citizens will be linked to the prepaid card with a chip and pin that will allegedly be used by citizens to pay for an array of government services.
However, Government Chief of Staff, Nzioka Waita condemned the article as a case of “poor journalism.”
Responding to a question asked by a concerned Kenya on the Aljazeera story, Waita noted: “This is false information and a case of poor journalism by @AlJazeera they should simply ask @InteriorKE to clarify any gaps in information that they may have had.
“There is no MasterCard linked to the @hudumanambake they are confusing with payment option for @HudumaKenya services,” Waita mentioned.
This is false information & a case of poor journalism by @AlJazeera they should simply ask @InteriorKE to clarify any gaps in information that they may have had.There is no MasterCard linked to the @hudumanambake they are confusing with payment option for @HudumaKenya services
— Nzioka Waita, MGH (@NziokaWaita) April 24, 2019
Read: MPs Want DCI To Investigate Firm That Supplied Huduma Namba Kits
Additionally, Ms Nyabola, the writer of the article, noted that the process has been scheduled to take place within a 30-day period.
That is also contrary to the announcement made by President Uhuru Kenyatta during the launch of the same, where he declared that the process would be effected within a 45-day period.
Two weeks ago, the High Court gave the government the green-light to commence the registration of Huduma Namba which was launched by President Kenyatta in Machakos.
The court however barred the government from including the DNA in the bio-metrics.
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