We've not asked for money to print Huduma Namba Cards - State

The government has dismissed claims that it is seeking Sh1 billion from the National Treasury to print Huduma Namba cards.

Interior PS Karanja Kibicho on Thursday said the amount was intended to pay  50,000 clerks who extended the exercise for eight days.

Earlier in the week, Treasury told MPs that the government was seeking extra funds to print the Huduma Namba cards.

But Kibicho said the reports were 'unfounded and baseless'.

Kibicho said the ministry requested their rightful balance that was still pending from the approved Huduma Namba budget, which was Sh7.5 billion.

"For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to reiterate that no money has been requested or budgeted for the printing of Huduma Namba cards in the current financial year," PS Kibicho said.

He said the Treasury had released Sh5.5 billion and that the balance was to be released in the subsequent financial year, which is the current period.

Kibicho said the balance will be used to pay 50,000 clerks for who worked for eight extra days.

This means each clerk will pocket some Sh20,000 as their payment for the extra eight days.

"It is out of this balance that the ministry has requested Sh1bn, in order to pay 50,000 clerks for the 8 extra days, worked upon the extension of Huduma Namba exercise by H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta," Kibicho said.

He also said part of the money will be used to digitise Civil Registration Services of birth certificates.

The cash will also be used to clear pending bills associated with the same exercise.

The registration for huduma namba ended on Saturday, May 25, 2019  and the outcome is still being expected.