State House has refuted reports claiming that the Huduma Namba card is linked to the US multinational financial services company, MasterCard.
State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita has dismissed the reports as false, stating that there is no link between Huduma Namba card and the global payments firm.
Waita was responding to a recent article published by international media, Al Jazeera.
The article claimed that there is an agreement between the Kenyan government and MasterCard to link the Huduma Namba to a prepaid card bearing a chip and pin that will be used by Kenyans to pay for an array of government services.
“This is false information and a case of poor journalism by @Al Jazeera, they should simply ask @InteriorKE to clarify any gaps in information that they may have had. There is no MasterCard linked to the @hudumanambake they are confusing with payment option for @HudumaKenya services,” Waita says in a tweet.
In the article headlined; “If you are a Kenyan citizen, your private data is not safe,” writer Nanjala Nyabola termed the Huduma Namba as “yet another assault on data privacy in Kenya.”
“Further digging reveals the government has done a deal with MasterCard to link the Huduma number to a prepaid card with chip and pin that will be used by citizens to pay for an array of government services. The government denies that the two initiatives are connected, but given similar initiatives in countries like Nigeria, there is credible fear that the initiatives will eventually be combined,” claims Nyabola.
She adds: “As it stands, if you are Kenyan, your data is not secure or safe, especially not from a government that has routinely avoided creating a legal framework to at least give citizens some form of recourse when violations happen. This Huduma number is an ill-timed, ill-advised initiative that should be suspended until further public participation and consultation occur.”
Registration for Huduma Namba is currently ongoing countrywide and is expected to conclude on May 19th.
Kenyans in the diaspora will be registered in respective Kenyan embassies and consulates for 45 days beginning May 5th.
DNA is big business in the…
DNA is big business in the West and Kenyans should not trust a government that has failed to curb corruption with their most private information.
When this government is unable to meet its financial obligations (loans that it keeps borrowing), that private information will be for sale to corporations. Biblical prophecies are being fulfilled and as some loose power, they will become desperate. Our forefathers lived complete lives without giving such information and especially to those who maimed,raped, castrated, hanged and killed them. How can we turn around and give them such information. We must hope for the best,but expect the worst. Do not trust anyone with your private information. Those who were killing us during imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, multi- corporations -destroying us, our kids and our cultures are not done yet. We must remember even today, we have “home guards” and in order to get to us, they must use some of us.
You are right, we have been…
You are right, we have been sold again like slaves in 17th century , ati Huduma or selling your citizens to the highest Colonial Bidder. Cry freedom ???
Press Releases
Huduma Card…
Press Releases
Huduma Card Delivers Cashless Efficiency, Powered by Mastercard Technology
Connecting Kenyans to convenient payment solution to empower all citizens
Nairobi, Kenya – February 7, 2017 – Mastercard commits to supporting the roll-out of the Huduma Card in Kenya as the technology partner of choice for the local government organisation. The secure payment solution supports Kenya’s Vision 2030 that calls for reforms in public services to enhance accountability, transparency and efficient service delivery, with focus on developing a cashless economy.
The Huduma Card is a prepaid card with chip and PIN technology that will connect all Kenyans to the formal financial sector by providing a secure, reliable and flexible payment option. The Huduma Card, powered by Mastercard, is currently being issued by Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA), Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), with no bank charges being allocated to citizens when registering for the smart card.
Kenyans will be able to pay for an array of Government services such as the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), National Social Security Fund (NSSF) amongst others. Citizens issued with the smart prepaid card will automatically be enrolled in vital government services such as the National Social Security Fund and the National Hospital Insurance Fund, ensuring all Kenyans benefit from these initiatives.
Cardholders are assured that regardless of how they use the solution their funds will be secured by the Mastercard multi-layered approach to protecting payments. EMV chip and PIN technology is a global payment standard to ensure that funds are protected even if the card is lost or stolen. This layer of protection ensures beneficiaries can receive their funds conveniently and securely.
Once funds are loaded to the prepaid card, cardholders can use their Huduma Card to pay for goods and services in store, online, by phone or to withdraw cash from ATMs – anywhere Mastercard is accepted locally or at millions of locations worldwide. The prepaid card ensures flexibility, convenience and security and is easily obtained from one of the issuing banks. Applicants do not require a credit check or bank account to apply.
“Mastercard is committed to extending financial inclusion for the unbanked and under-banked in Kenya,” said Daniel Monehin, Division President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mastercard. “Innovation is central to achieving our vision of a world beyond cash in Kenya and across the continent. We are committed to developing market-relevant payment solutions that enhance the adoption of cashless transactions. By working together with industry, merchants and businesses, we will achieve this, in East Africa.
Talking on behalf of the Huduma Kenya Programme, Dennis Mutuku, CEO Huduma Kenya Secretariat said, “This is Kenya’s first multipurpose social payment card with payment functionality and we are excited to see the instant, substantial and positive impact that this will have on the lives of millions of citizens previously excluded from the financial mainstream.”
Mastercard Division President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Daniel Monehin said, “The Huduma initiative introduced by the Kenyan government is one of the most innovative approaches to including citizens to the financial sector. We are proud partners, and it is a real honour to have been selected to power the solution with our world-class payment technology. We are committed to investing in Kenya, and the continent, and are eager to support the country in its widespread roll-out of the Huduma Card in 2017.”
-ENDS-
About Mastercard
Mastercard (NSYE: MA), http://www.mastercard.com is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter: @MastercardMEA and @MastercardNews join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the MEA Engagement Bureau.
Mastercard Communications Contact
Press Releases
Huduma Card…
Press Releases
Huduma Card Delivers Cashless Efficiency, Powered by Mastercard Technology
Connecting Kenyans to convenient payment solution to empower all citizens
Nairobi, Kenya – February 7, 2017 – Mastercard commits to supporting the roll-out of the Huduma Card in Kenya as the technology partner of choice for the local government organisation. The secure payment solution supports Kenya’s Vision 2030 that calls for reforms in public services to enhance accountability, transparency and efficient service delivery, with focus on developing a cashless economy.
The Huduma Card is a prepaid card with chip and PIN technology that will connect all Kenyans to the formal financial sector by providing a secure, reliable and flexible payment option. The Huduma Card, powered by Mastercard, is currently being issued by Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA), Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), with no bank charges being allocated to citizens when registering for the smart card.
Kenyans will be able to pay for an array of Government services such as the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), National Social Security Fund (NSSF) amongst others. Citizens issued with the smart prepaid card will automatically be enrolled in vital government services such as the National Social Security Fund and the National Hospital Insurance Fund, ensuring all Kenyans benefit from these initiatives.
Cardholders are assured that regardless of how they use the solution their funds will be secured by the Mastercard multi-layered approach to protecting payments. EMV chip and PIN technology is a global payment standard to ensure that funds are protected even if the card is lost or stolen. This layer of protection ensures beneficiaries can receive their funds conveniently and securely.
Once funds are loaded to the prepaid card, cardholders can use their Huduma Card to pay for goods and services in store, online, by phone or to withdraw cash from ATMs – anywhere Mastercard is accepted locally or at millions of locations worldwide. The prepaid card ensures flexibility, convenience and security and is easily obtained from one of the issuing banks. Applicants do not require a credit check or bank account to apply.
“Mastercard is committed to extending financial inclusion for the unbanked and under-banked in Kenya,” said Daniel Monehin, Division President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mastercard. “Innovation is central to achieving our vision of a world beyond cash in Kenya and across the continent. We are committed to developing market-relevant payment solutions that enhance the adoption of cashless transactions. By working together with industry, merchants and businesses, we will achieve this, in East Africa.
Talking on behalf of the Huduma Kenya Programme, Dennis Mutuku, CEO Huduma Kenya Secretariat said, “This is Kenya’s first multipurpose social payment card with payment functionality and we are excited to see the instant, substantial and positive impact that this will have on the lives of millions of citizens previously excluded from the financial mainstream.”
Mastercard Division President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Daniel Monehin said, “The Huduma initiative introduced by the Kenyan government is one of the most innovative approaches to including citizens to the financial sector. We are proud partners, and it is a real honour to have been selected to power the solution with our world-class payment technology. We are committed to investing in Kenya, and the continent, and are eager to support the country in its widespread roll-out of the Huduma Card in 2017.”
-ENDS-
About Mastercard
Mastercard (NSYE: MA), http://www.mastercard.com is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter: @MastercardMEA and @MastercardNews join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the MEA Engagement Bureau.
Mastercard Communications Contact
Even though the president …
Even though the president told Kenyans that getting huduma number is voluntary, I think we’ll reach a point where circumstances will force you to get one! the gov’t wants to force citizens to be active contributors & meet their unending demands! Failure to contribute will be dealt with serious sanctions!
Government can’t refute what…
Government can’t refute what is out there for all to see. Thanks for the research Diana.
Okay, the picture of the…
Okay, the picture of the prototype has master card logo. Difficult to explain the presence of such a commercial entity on a card of national significance
This just in. The pope is…
This just in. The pope is not Catholic. I just cant fathom why these people insist on the lies. It may be they are unfamiliar with the internet.
All the lies are coming to…
All the lies are coming to light. From the fact that there is really no so called “white person” and no so called “black person”. These names were invented to create a lie, and give the Edormites- so called “whites” privileges in every society and to destroy the “Hebrew Israelites”, or the so called “blacks” in e every society. Now the so called “blacks” are waking up to their true nationality, that of Hebrew Israelites. The Edormites are working hard to maintain their control of the Hebrew Israelites with such things as Huduma number.
May the Edormites fail in this. Tides are turning as biblical prophecies are being fulfilled