Implementation of the National Population Registry System in Kenya

Abstract

The Government of Kenya has been implementing the Electronic National Population Register. The main objective of the study was to establish status of implementation of an electronic National population registration system in Kenya and the challenges being experienced. The study adopted a survey design methodology in which primary data was collected through administration of a questionnaire to staff of Directorate of immigration working in Nairobi County. Drop and pick approach was used to collect data. Out of 85 questionnaires administered, 80 were filled and returned giving a response rate of 94%. The study found that many benefits would be achieved by implementing the electronic NPR. The benefits include; support e-services, facilitate faster analysis of demographic data, generating economies of scale in setting up ICT infrastructure, improves sharing of information among government agencies, reduce burden by the public while engaging with the government among others. The study findings revealed that lack of collaboration among the departments within the directorate is a major factor hindering successful implementation of the system. Other factors that hinder successful implementation of the system are; high cost of telecommunication services, lack of clear guidelines to facilitate sharing and protection of individual information, inadequate IT infrastructure and lack of funds to implement the system.