Residents of Kilifi, Kenya, are struggling to access essential government services due to the limited number of Huduma Centres and an unstable power supply. The Huduma Centre in Sokoni ward, Kilifi North subcounty, serves 1,453,787 residents across 35 wards, leading to ineffective and inefficient service delivery. This has resulted in delays in services such as national identification card registration and issuance.
A visit by senators to assess government service delivery in Kilifi revealed that the limited services offered by the centre are hampered by an inadequate electricity supply. This has significant effects on service delivery, according to Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang, who chairs the Senate ICT Committee. The committee undertook an inspection visit to Kilifi to assess the implementation of ICT policies and digital transformation initiatives.
The lack of a steady electricity supply affects not only national identification card registration but also other essential services. Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi, the committee vice chairperson, stated that many residents in Kilifi lack national IDs, which prevents them from accessing the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme and other government services and programmes. This has significant implications for residents, particularly the youth, who are unable to access essential public services.
The absence of national ID cards affects the youth in Kilifi, with some as old as 24 lacking IDs. This prevents them from registering for SHA, accessing the affordable housing programme, or benefiting from university funding opportunities. Senator Abdillahi emphasized the need to accelerate national ID card registration and issuance to enhance the exercise of one's right to vote in the 2027 elections.
The Senate ICT Committee's visit aimed to assess the progress of ongoing government projects and support efforts to ensure their prompt completion. The senators examined the systems used by the county to deliver services digitally and noted that the integration of technology in revenue collection, access to information, and inter-departmental communication is notable. However, the committee identified areas that need to be addressed to improve efficiency, accessibility, and reliability of public services.
Senator Chesang commended the digitization of public services, noting that technology has made it possible for residents to access services without travelling long distances. However, he called on relevant authorities to ensure an adequate supply of electricity across the county to address the interruptions caused by limited power supply. The Senate Mashinani initiative was designed to enable the Senate to engage directly with communities and strengthen the connection between government and the public.
The Senate Mashinani initiative allows the Senate to assess whether existing ICT infrastructure and systems are adequate to meet the growing demand for online and technology-enabled services. By engaging with communities, the Senate can identify challenges affecting residents and find swift solutions. The committee's visit to Kilifi is part of this initiative, which aims to bring public institutions closer to citizens and ensure that issues affecting communities inform oversight and service delivery.
Key points
- Unstable power supply affects service delivery in Kilifi Huduma Centres.
- Limited Huduma Centres in Kilifi hinder access to essential government services.
- Lack of national ID cards affects residents' access to government services and programmes.
