Huduma Kenya is urging citizens to visit its service centres across the country to collect thousands of government documents that have been processed but remain unclaimed. The agency says reclaiming these documents is critical to reducing a growing backlog that continues to slow service delivery and delay access to essential identification and certification services.
In a public statement issued on Friday, Huduma Kenya highlighted that a large number of vital documents—including national identity cards, smart driving licences, and birth certificates—are ready for collection at its centres. “Thousands of documents are ready for collection at Huduma Centres. Pass by today and pick yours — let’s reduce the backlog together!” the agency said, stressing the importance of timely pick-ups.
The latest figures show that 93,295 national ID cards, 31,327 smart driving licences, and 124,299 birth certificates have been processed and are awaiting collection.
Citizens who have applied for any of these documents are encouraged to visit the nearest Huduma Centre, among its 59 branches nationwide, to confirm availability and collect them.
Huduma Kenya operates through four service channels: 59 Huduma Centres covering all 47 counties, the Huduma Contact and Tele-Counselling Centre reachable via 1919, Huduma Mashinani outreach programmes, and Huduma Electronic and Mobile services accessible online and via USSD *191#.
These platforms provide both assisted and self-service options, bringing together services from multiple government ministries, counties, departments, and agencies under one roof.
As of September 2025, at least 82,506 identity cards and 57,444 driving licences remained uncollected, alongside 22,524 birth certificates still waiting for their owners. In a notice dated November 7, Huduma Kenya said several centres have started offering first-time ID applications, making the service more accessible for citizens who previously had to travel long distances to registration offices.
The centres now offering first-time ID services include Baringo, Bomet, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Embu, Eldoret, Garissa, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kibra, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitale, Kitui, Kwale, Narok, Nyamira, Nyeri, Samburu, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Vihiga, West Pokot, Lamu, Machakos, Makadara, Makueni, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Murang’a, Nakuru, and Nandi.
Huduma Kenya said the expansion of first-time ID services is part of its ongoing strategy to improve access to essential government documents and ensure that every eligible Kenyan can obtain identification conveniently.
Citizens are encouraged to visit the nearest participating Huduma Centre with the required documents to begin their applications. Previously, first-time applicants had to visit national registration bureau offices, often located within county commissioner offices, which could be far from their homes.
