Kenyans are set to be issued with new digital ID cards with enhanced security.

The country launched a pilot project issuing the Maisha cards to 18-year-olds on 1 November 2023, reports Africa Business Communities.

‘All Kenyans turning 18 years in whichever part of Kenya will be issued with a Maisha Card on a pilot basis. This way, we will establish whether there are any errors or issues before we do the penultimate launch,’ says immigration and citizen services permanent secretary Julius Bitok.

The new card features a unique personal identifier number known as a Maisha Namba – the primary and lifelong registration and ID reference for citizens.

Citizens will be issued with a Maisha Namba at birth, which will be transferred to their Maisha Card when they turn 18.

The Kenyan government plans to gradually phase out second-generation IDs in favour of the Maisha Card with the current ID number becoming the Maisha Namba. According to Bitok, there will be no need for mass registration for biometrics.

The roll-out of the new system is expected to take up to three years, reports Capital Radio.

7 November 2023
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