A Comparative Assessment of the National Integrated Identity Management System and the Zimbabwe Population Registration System: Lessons for Kenya from Zimbabwe

This study set out to assess the National Integrated Identity System of Kenya and derive critical lessons from the Zimbabwe Population Registration System that has been in operation since the 1996. National population database systems such as NIEMS and ZPRS have been used by governments world over for various purposes including taxation and welfare purposes. This study utilized the New Public Management theory to interrogate the national identification system in service provision. The NPM theory focuses on reform and innovation of the public sector therefore making it the most viable theory for this subject matter. The researcher utilized cross sectional research design and applied both primary and secondary data. The data collected was presented using qualitative and quantitative approaches. Primary data was gathered through interviews and questionnaire administration. In order to select respondents, probability (random sampling) and non-probability sampling (purposive sampling) techniques were applied. These methods aided in identifying 85 respondents from whom the first hand data was collected from. Questionnaires and interview guides were the main tools used for collecting primary data while secondary data was collected from published sources including journals, books and articles. This study found out that generally, NIIMS is useful in improving service delivery of public service. However, the Kenyan system should borrow a leaf from Zimbabwe's ZPRS especially on matters of a legal regulatory framework to govern operations and secure NUMS as a system. The ZPRS has provided a foundation for broad government services in areas such as taxation and making of population policies. This provides a basis for Kenya to follow suit and reap maximum dividends that come with such systems.