More than 300,000 government documents, including national identity cards, birth certificates and smart driving licences, are ready for collection at Huduma Centres across Kenya.
The documents include 173,811 national IDs, 95,538 smart driving licences and 39,063 birth certificates, according to Huduma Kenya, which has urged applicants to visit the centres where they submitted their applications.
According to the agency, the number of processed documents awaiting collection remains high despite concerns raised by Kenyans online about delays in receiving vital government documents.
“We understand that there are concerns online that Kenyans are not receiving their IDs, birth certificates and driving licences,” Huduma Kenya said in a statement.
It encouraged people who had applied for the documents to check the status of their applications and collect them from their designated centres once they are ready.
“We have got tonnes of uncollected vital documents. Put a reminder on your phone to pick them up,” the agency said.
The directive comes as government agencies continue efforts to clear a backlog of documents that have already been processed but remain at collection points.
The documents are important for accessing a range of essential services, including employment, education, banking, healthcare and government services.
Huduma Kenya has also extended operating hours at 21 selected centres to give applicants more time to collect their documents.
The selected centres will operate for 12 hours, from 7am to 7pm.
They include Makadara, Kibra, Eastleigh, City Square, Thika, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Bungoma, Embu, GPO, Meru, Laikipia, Kisii, Kitale, Kericho, Kakamega, Kisumu, Mombasa, Migori and Makueni.
The agency said the extended hours are intended to make it easier for people who may be unable to visit Huduma Centres during normal working hours.
Applicants have been encouraged to use official Huduma Kenya communication channels if they experience difficulties collecting their documents.
These include the toll-free number 1919 and the agency's verified social media platforms.
The call comes at a time when identification and other government documents remain essential for Kenyans seeking to access both public and private services.
Huduma Kenya has urged those whose documents are ready not to leave them uncollected, as the government seeks to reduce the number of processed documents accumulating at its centres.