- Huduma Kenya says 308,412 processed identification and licensing documents remain uncollected across its centres.
- Hillary Muhalya explains why students preparing for college should check their documents before reporting.
- Twenty-one Huduma Centres operate extended weekday hours, giving applicants more time to access government services.
Kenyans preparing to join universities, colleges and other institutions have been urged to check whether their national IDs and birth certificates are already ready for collection.
Huduma Kenya has issued an urgent reminder after revealing that more than 308,000 vital documents have been processed but remain uncollected at various centres across the country.
The documents include 173,811 national identification cards, 39,063 birth certificates and 95,538 smart driving licences. The three categories total 308,412 documents.
The announcement is particularly significant for students preparing to join colleges and universities, many of whom may need valid identification and supporting documents as they complete admission, registration and other institutional requirements.
Your admission documents may not be the only thing you need
As thousands of young Kenyans prepare for the next stage of their education, having the required personal documents can become critical.
Students may be required to present identification documents and birth records during various admission, registration, financial and administrative processes.
Those who have applied for IDs or birth certificates and have been waiting should therefore establish whether their documents have already been processed.
Huduma Kenya has advised applicants to check their application status and collect documents from the designated centres where they made their applications.
Over 308,000 documents uncollected
The agency’s disclosure means that hundreds of thousands of Kenyans could potentially resolve their documentation needs simply by collecting documents that are already ready.
Huduma Kenya said concerns had emerged online from Kenyans questioning delays in receiving their IDs, birth certificates and smart driving licences.
Some applicants had complained that their documents appeared to take weeks or months to become available.
The agency, however, said many documents had already been processed but remained uncollected.
“We have got tonnes of uncollected vital documents. Put a reminder on your phone to pick them up,” the agency said.
Students should check before reporting
For students preparing to join institutions of higher learning, the timing of the announcement is important.
Those who are preparing to report to universities, colleges or other training institutions should confirm that they have all the documents required for admission and registration.
Students who applied for national IDs or birth certificates should not simply assume that their applications are still pending.
Their documents could already be available for collection.
Parents and guardians can also help by checking on the status of documents belonging to students who are preparing to leave home for college.
21 Huduma Centres open until 7pm
Twenty-one selected Huduma Centres operate extended hours from 7am to 7pm on weekdays, giving Kenyans more time to access services before or after normal working hours.
The centres are Makadara, Kibra, Eastleigh, City Square, Thika, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Bungoma, Embu, GPO, Meru, Laikipia, Kisii, Kitale, Kericho, Kakamega, Kisumu, Mombasa, Migori and Makueni.
The extended hours could particularly benefit students and parents who need to complete documentation before the beginning of a new academic programme.
Don’t wait until reporting day
With students transitioning into colleges and universities, applicants have been encouraged to deal with documentation issues early.
Waiting until the last minute to discover that an ID or birth certificate is unavailable could create unnecessary administrative challenges.
Huduma Kenya has therefore encouraged Kenyans to check their application status and collect processed documents as soon as possible.
Those experiencing difficulties can contact the agency through its toll-free number 1919 or its verified social media platforms.
For students preparing to join college, the message is simple:
Before you pack your bags and report to campus, make sure your essential documents are ready—and if you applied for an ID or birth certificate, check whether it is already waiting for you.
By Hillary Muhalya
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