Miguna Reveals 5 Problems In Ruto's Ksh1B Digital ID Card Project

Outspoken lawyer, Miguna Miguna, has voiced his opposition towards the highly-anticipated Digital Identification Card (Digital ID) project, with its launch by President William Ruto inching closer and closer.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, September 13, Miguna listed five issues he identified that he believes could lead to the ID project, estimated to cost Kenyan taxpayers Ksh1 billion, failing before it reaps fruit.

With a direct block-lettered subject line, 'I oppose the imposition of the National Digital ID in Kenya', the lawyer believed that as a third-world country, Kenya should be focusing on addressing issues such as high unemployment, no universal healthcare and homelessness instead of implementing a digital identity in the country.

"Second, Kenya lacks the legal, technological and human capacity to protect privacy and prevent misuse of personal digital data. Kenya wasn’t even able to detect and prevent Worldcoin from illegally harvesting personal data from its citizens for more than one year!" ranted Miguna.

He also poked holes in Kenya's lack of digital infrastructure to safeguard itself from cyber attacks, including hacking, hence making the harvesting, processing and storage of digital identity prone to abuse and illegal poaching.

"Fourth, the introduction hasn’t been subjected to public participation and looks suspiciously rushed like the dubious BBI Fraud and Huduma Number. Anything shrouded in mystery and rushed cannot pass the smell test," he went on.

Miguna also argued that developed countries such as Canada and the United States of America (USA) have not introduced compulsory digital identification systems as most of their citizens are opposed to its use due to some of the issues he identified.

He called upon President Ruto's government to desist from introducing new technology and making Kenyans pay for it when it is bound to fail like other foreign projects.

"The Kenya Kwanza must refrain from forcing Kenyans to pay for another expensive white elephant with dubious origins!

"Digital Identity is NOT a priority for Kenyans, especially at this moment in time when citizens face real problems of life and death that need to be addressed. We say a firm NO to Digital ID!" Miguna stamped.

According to the lawyer, Kenyans deserve to have clean running water, electricity, food and healthcare per household before anyone lectures the country about digital identification.

On Tuesday, September 12, State Department for Immigration and Citizen Affairs Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, who addressed the media confirmed that the Head of State will launch the Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) identity card dubbed the 'Maisha Card' on Friday, September 29, 2023.

He added that the UPI to be anchored on a digital platform dubbed Maisha Number will replace the country’s second-generation identity cards.