Government resumes printing of IDs after lifting of the ban on Maisha Namba
By Mary Wambui |
In a statement released on Friday, Immigration Permanent Secretary Prof Julius Bitok said the cards could not be processed to fruition in adherence to the court order leading to a huge pile-up.
The Ministry of Interior now says the lifting of the ban on the implementation of the Maisha Namba card by the court paves the way for the processing of over 600,000 pending ID cards.
The ban was lifted on Friday morning by the High Court.
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In a statement released on Friday, Immigration Permanent Secretary Prof Julius Bitok said the cards could not be processed to fruition in adherence to the court order leading to a huge pile-up.
This is because the ministry had begun replacing old IDs with the new generation ID/Maisha Namba and with Kenyans making at least 10,000 applications a day, a figure that further rises to 5,000 a day added to those that seek replacements every day.
Katiba Institute had sought the orders arguing that the government had failed to disclose and submit the Data Impact Assessment that had been conducted on Maisha Namba ahead of its implementation.
On its part, the ministry argued that the move affected and infringed upon the rights of thousands of Kenyans who were moving about their daily activities without an ID, a factor that also denied them access to government services via the e-citizen platform.
These services include applying for driving licenses, and passports, registering businesses, obtaining KRA PINs, registering for marriage, and opening bank accounts.
"We appreciate the support and patience that Kenyans have exhibited for the duration of the order. We assure all persons with pending applications that we will expeditiously produce IDs on a first come first out basis beginning immediately," Prof Bitok said.
He further assured Kenyans of the government's commitment to implement reforms in the Kenya National Identity ecosystem in a manner that respects the constitution and the interests of all citizens.
"We pledge to sustain our engagements with all stakeholders for meaningful input in the implementation of the Kenya National Identity ecosystem," added the PS.
The order was issued on December 5 last year.
In November last year, the Ministry gazetted some amendments to the Registration of Persons and the Births and Deaths Registration Acts to align the law with the Huduma Namba, Maisha Card, Maisha Digital ID and Maisha Integrated database (National Population Master Register).
With the amendments, the law now recognises the use of electronic identity cards and permits the registration officer to record facial biometric data of the applicant in "a prescribed electronic/digital device".
"The electronic card issued under this regulation may also be presented in a digital or virtual form," The Regulation of Persons (Amendment) Regulations, 2023 states.
This permits the virtual representation of Maisha Namba online as the applicant's digital ID that Kenyans will use to make online transactions.
The digital ID will be generated by the applicant making a virtual application on the e-citizen platform and saving a copy on their handset or laptop.
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