Guides and glossary

How eligibility is decided

Each programme has a public rule made of simple checks (for example age 18 or more, income below a limit, county, or having a National ID). This site compares your answers with those checks. Green means every check passed, amber means a check cannot be made until you answer one more question, and red means at least one check failed. Programmes can change their rules, so every card shows when it was last verified and links to the official source.

Documents most people need
  • National ID (or birth certificate for under 18)
  • KRA PIN for tax, business and many loans
  • Phone number registered in your name for USSD and mobile services
  • Passport photos and your Chief's introduction letter
  • School documents: admission letter, fee statement, KCSE or KCPE certificate
  • Disability: NCPWD card and medical assessment
Avoid scams
  • Government services listed here are free or have published fees. Never pay an agent to be "put on" a list.
  • Use official addresses ending in .go.ke, or the links on each card.
  • Nobody official asks for your PIN, M-Pesa PIN or OTP.
  • Recruitment (police, KDF, NYS) is free. Report anyone asking for money to EACC.
How to appeal or follow up

Ask for the decision in writing, keep your reference number, visit the nearest Huduma Centre, and write to the head of the office. Use the Letters tool to prepare the letter. You can also contact the Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) if an office does not respond.

Glossary

TermMeaning
AGPOAccess to Government Procurement Opportunities: tenders reserved for youth, women and persons with disabilities.
ASALArid and semi-arid lands.
EACCEthics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
HEFHigher Education Funding: the loan and bursary model run by HELB.
HELBHigher Education Loans Board.
Huduma CentreOne-stop government service centre.
KCSEKenya Certificate of Secondary Education.
KRA PINPersonal Identification Number for tax.
KUCCPSKenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service.
NCPWDNational Council for Persons with Disabilities.
NG-CDFNational Government Constituencies Development Fund, which gives bursaries.
NHIFFormer health insurer, replaced by SHA.
NLASNational Legal Aid Service.
NSSFNational Social Security Fund.
OVCOrphan or vulnerable child.
PWDPerson with disability.
SHASocial Health Authority, the national health cover.
SHIFSocial Health Insurance Fund contributions.
TVETTechnical and vocational education and training.