The State Department For Immigration And Citizen Services has clarified that Kenyans will not be coerced to register for the digital national identification, commonly known as the Maisha Card.
Yesterday Director General Evelyn Cheluget together with other senior Government officials from the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services Engaged with the Civil Society Organizations Public Participation on Maisha Namba, Digital/ Electronic ID where the official from the immigration department said that the government will continue with the ongoing sensitization programme to ensure that no citizen will be coerced to get the card.
According to PS Julius Bitok, “There have been several attempts by the government to launch the digital ID. Most attempts have failed because Kenyans were not educated about it. However, this time round we have decided to come together to ensure that everyone is brought on board without being forced.”
So far, the government has set aside Sh1 billion for the Unique Personal Identifiers (UPIs) for all Kenyans.
Bitok clarified that, unlike the Huduma Number, which required the collection of biometric data from the public, the Maisha Number will be generated using existing databases, including those from civil registration.
He however noted that the new card will incorporate advanced security and technological enhancements. In contrast to the existing IDs, it will also facilitate digital identification.
Maisha Namba will serve as a unique personal identification number assigned to Kenyan citizens upon registration, typically at birth.
This number will become their lifelong personal identity number from birth to death.
The card will feature a photo image of the applicant, an ID number, a card serial number, biometric data, biographic data, residential particulars, and advanced security elements.
Also proposed is a National Master Population Register that will consolidate existing and independent databases into a single integrated register for all data on Kenyans and foreigners’ resident in the country.
Maisha card which will bear Maisha Namba will essentially be a third generation ID that will replace the current second-generation ID.
