No Census: UPI replaces census, people turning 18 years to be automatically registered voters

Julius Bitok, the PS in charge of Immigration and Citizen Services

Julius Bitok, the PS in charge of Immigration and Citizen Services, has said that all Kenyan residents who turn 18 will be given a national digital identifier.

This means that they will be automatically registered to vote as soon as they get their identifier.

The public servant made the statements on Wednesday, February 15, while attending a discussion with the Kenya Editors Guild at the Sarova Stanley in Nairobi.

"Only Kenyans who have reached the age of majority (18 years) would be eligible to get the National Digital Identifier."

"This next version of the national identity card will be the third generation."

According to Professor Bitok, "only those people who have the national digital identification will be eligible to vote when it is implemented."

The PS also said that as of the first of March this year, 2023, all newborns would be given unique personal identities (UPIs) that would serve as identifying numbers for the rest of their lives.

According to Professor Bitok, the number will be recorded on the kid's birth certificate as well as serving as his or her basic education number.

Additionally, the KRA PIN and driver's license will be based on it, in addition to a number of other national papers.

The principal secretary said that the UPI number would be preserved in the event that the person who had it passed away.