For the last about four months, Huduma Centres across the country have been operating on extended hours.
Previously, the centres which are one-stop shop for all government services have been operating between 8 am and 5 pm.
But from November 2022, the government announced that the centres will be operating from 7 am to 7 pm.
At the Eldoret Huduma Centre, the decision to extend the working hours has had a positive impact on service delivery.
Reuben Ogeda, the centre manager says before the working hours were extended, they would witness long queues.
“When we were opening at 8 am, we could get at least 100 people lined up for various services. Others would come and when they see the long queue, they go away. But we no longer have that since we extended working hours,” Ogeda said.
With the new changes, citizens can either choose to get the services at Huduma centre early in the day before going to work, or after work later in the day.
“Citizens are generally happy with the extended working hours,” says the Eldoret Huduma Centre Manager.
Main services
Among the most sought after services at the Huduma Centre that have been given priority include Identity Cards replacement, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and National Social Insurance Fund (NSSF).
National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), National Transport and Safety Authority and birth certificates are other services the Eldoret Huduma centre offers.
To ensure success of the extended working hours, staff at the Huduma centres work at an 8-hour shifts.
Aside from extending Huduma Centre working hours, call centers also have extended hours.
The call centres currently offers services until 9 pm.
Kenyans are now being asked to take advantage of the extended working hours at get the services they want at their convenient time.
“Our commitment is to offer services to mwananchi. To those that did not know that we have extended working hours, we invite them to come and experience the improved services,” said Ogede.
