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By Monica MUEMA
This number will be a lifelong personal identity number from birth to death as the registration number for government services, including but not limited to enrolment in educational institutions (NEMIS), health insurance (NHIF), and as the National ID number upon reaching 18 years old.
To enhance security and minimize the risk of forgery, the Maisha card will feature a microprocessor electronic chip with encrypted data. It will also enjoy features supporting the creation of a virtual ID to be known as Maisha Digital ID for those with smartphones.
At the heart of this digital transformation is the Maisha Namba, a unique Personal Identification Number assigned to every Kenyan citizen upon birth registration. Maisha Namba will serve as a lifelong identity from birth to death and will replace traditional birth certificate numbers.
The Government on November 1 kicked off the pilot phase of digital ID ecosystem and Maisha Namba roll out in the country ahead of the official unveiling.
Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said that the pilot phase will target first time ID applicants who are turning 18 years.
Bitok said that going forward, first time applicants will now be issued with the new Maisha Card as government moves away from the second-generation IDS.
“The, government is rolling out this pilot phase for Kenyans who have turned 18 and it will target individuals from different parts of the country,” Bitok said.
Bitok stated that the trials aim to resolve possible gaps before the official launch across the country.
He made the remarks when he met with members of the civil society organizations over the planned digital ID rollout.
Bitok disclosed that he had had successful engagement with the rights groups who endorsed the rollout.
In regard to the funding of the exercise, Bitok said the Immigrations Department is not spending any additional funding in this project but utilizing the monies allocated to run the programme.
In considering public participation, Bitok said that Ministry had taken part in over 800 engagements on the rollout as part of the efforts to ensure the success of the Maisha Namba rollout.
But a h High Court in Nairobi December 5th suspended the rollout of the new digital.
While delivering his ruling, Justice John Chigiti agreed with the petitioners, Katiba Institute, who had argued that a data protection impact assessment was not done and gave orders halting the card’s planned rollout.
“Upon perusing the Application alongside the annexures therein, I find that the Application is not frivolous nor vexatious. It raises an arguable case that should be heard and determined on merit within the Fair Administrative Action Act framework,” the judgement read in part.
“Leave is hereby granted in terms of prayer 2 of the said Application. The leave shall operate as a stay in terms of prayer 3.”
In its petition, Katiba Institute argued that the government and in particular the Ministry of Interior and Coordination had not conducted adequate public participation before moving ahead to proceed with the rollout.
“For a second time, the respondents have ignored this Court’s rulings and have violated section 31 of the Data Protection Act. They remain intent on building the Maisha Namba on the shaky foundation of data illegally collected and processed during the Huduma Namba exercise,” the petitioners noted.