The government has issued an update on the integration of the new Digital ID system, referred to as Maisha Namba. The new era digital ID is set to replace the second-generation ID card into various public services.
Despite the government earlier announcement that the card is not mandatory, the State Department has revealed that Kenyan citizens will need their Maisha Namba to access Birth and Death certificates.
In addition, Kenyans seeking healthcare services at public hospitals will be required to present their digital ID to access medical services
The government has announced that Maisha Namba will be a mandatory requirement for passport and national identification card applications, despite earlier assurances from Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Citizen Services, that it would not be mandatory.
President William Ruto is scheduled to officially launch the lifetime identification number in Nakuru County on Friday, September 29, 2023.
While the government hasn’t backtracked on its previous statement, it has specified that all Kenyan citizens will be obligated to apply for Digital IDs within a specified timeframe.