Ruto Issues Update On Maisha Namba

President William Ruto has announced that the new digital IDs, dubbed Maisha Digital Cards should be ready for launch by December 2023.

Speaking during the launch of locally assembled devices in Mavoko, Machakos County, the Head of State revealed that the Maisha Namba project expected to cost taxpayers Ksh1 billion is currently undergoing a testing phase for a period of two months.

"The digital ID which has been a big problem for us for a very long time is now on testing mode for the next two months," Ruto revealed.

"I have been assured by all the stakeholders led by the Ministries concerned that by December we will be able to launch the digital ID."

Image of a sample Maisha Namba card. /VELLUM KENYA

President Ruto underscored that the new digital ID will eliminate the need for Kenyans to carry papers or plastic everywhere they go, adding that the system will also include an iris and fingerprint identification system.

"Every Kenyan doesn't have to carry any paper, plastic or otherwise as an ID that they should be able to be identified digitally using their iris or their fingerprints and we can transact without the necessity of people struggling to identify who they are," he went on.

Regarding the government's move to spend Ksh1 billion on the digital ID project, Ruto commented "The proudest part of it is that we don't have to spend the billions that we have spent on all the other projects as all of you know."

On Thursday, October 26, Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok opened up on plans to begin the pilot phase for the Maisha Digital cards which will help guide the government in terms of preparing the country for the adoption of the digital IDs.

“We intend to have the piloting act as a guide on what we need to do right. We want to make sure that this time, we get it right in view of the frustrations that have plagued previous attempts to introduce a digital ID,” said Bitok.

Likewise, he indicated that the proposed digital IDs had complied with regulations governing the protection of personal data while noting that the State was committing to avoiding the challenges that culminated in the failure of the Huduma Namba project spearheaded by former President Uhuru Kenyatta's government.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had on Wednesday gazetted regulations to establish the new personal registration system.

In the Special Gazette notice dated October 25, CS Kindiki modified the Registration of Persons regulations to encompass the introduction of an electronic card and register. As per the amendments, facial features and fingerprints will also be used for personal identification.

The revised regulations similarly acknowledge the Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) Maisha Namba which will be a key part of the new digital identity proposed by the government.

During the rollout, all Kenyans will be assigned a Maisha Namba which will be a unique personal identifier. The new system will thus see all Kenyans assigned Unique Personal Identification (UPI) numbers at birth.

On Friday, September 29, the government postponed the official launch of the Maisha Namba card which was scheduled for October 2, indefinitely, due to what it termed as unavoidable circumstances.

Immigration Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok speaking during a media breakfast meeting on the proposed Maisha Namba and Digital/Electronic ID on September 28, 2023. /JULIUS BITOK