The launch of the maisha card and digital ID has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances.
Through a statement, PS Julius Bitok says a new date for the launch will be communicated in due course.
President William Ruto was to preside over the launch on the 2nd of October 2023 at the Athletics Club, Nakuru County.
Meanwhile, the PS Bitok says public participation and stakeholders’ engagement forums on Maisha Namba and the digital ID ecosystem that are ongoing across the country will continue.
The new and improved digital ID that is fitted with security features, biometrics and a digital signature is not compulsory, however, for new applicants and those replacing a lost ID, it will be mandatory.
In addition PS Bitok noted that newborns will also have a unique identity card which will serve as their birth certificate number.
According to the PS this marks the beginning of a major shift in the registration of persons in Kenya.
The Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) will be crucial throughout a child’s educational journey, serving as their primary and secondary school identification numbers. As the child grows and reaches the age of 18, the UPI seamlessly transitions into their official national identity number.
Also, the UPI will have multi-faceted utility, serving as the child’s National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) number, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) number, driving license number, and ultimately, even their death certificate number.
This robust integration will make the digital ID a central and unifying identifier for various essential aspects of a Kenyan’s life.
Further, with the new system, government officials will also be able to use a digital signature platform to sign official documents even while away from their duty posts.
So far, 400 agencies have been onboarded with the new personal identifier system.
