The government will not compel Kenyans to apply for the new Maisha Card or tie its issuance to the upcoming general elections.
PS Julius Bitok will meet with all regional and county commissioners to draft key regulations for the 2024 Amendments on Registration of Persons and Birth & Death Registration, which will pave the way for a streamlined Maisha Namba.
Rather, it seeks to use the better features of the new ID to convince Kenyans to switch from their old paper documents to a digital version that is compatible with Maisha Namba.
Although the current 2nd generation ID will still be recognised and valid after the next general election, according to Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, the Maisha Card’s cutting-edge digital capabilities provide significant advantages to users.
“The government does not intend to force anyone to apply for a Maisha Card. Though voluntary, it is advisable to start as soon as possible.
After hosting a breakfast meeting with representatives from religious leaders, the private sector, youth, and other special groups, the PS was giving a speech at the Nairobi Serena Hotel.
He denied any connection between the Maisha Card’s launch and a plot to rig the 2027 election, stating that the 10-year expiration period won’t start to run until 2033.
“This claim is baseless. They printed the first Maisha card in 2023.” He stated that the first card will expire in 2033—that is, after the next election, if you do the math.
He expressed faith in the complex characteristics of the Maisha Card, saying that once people grasp its benefits, they will see how important it is to sign up.
The Maisha Card, sometimes referred to as the 3rd Generation ID, combines biometric features with contemporary technology in accordance with worldwide norms and trends.
The PS defended the Maisha Card’s 10-year expiration date, arguing that it is consistent with global norms, industry practice, and the inevitable ageing of technology.
It also considers how the ID cardholder’s facial and other biometric characteristics may vary over time.
“Your ID’s expiration does not affect your citizenship rights; it simply suggests that you will have to update it.”
The main topics of discussion during the meeting were the draft regulations for the 2024 births and deaths registration amendment rules and the registration of persons amendment rules.
The changes aim to simplify the Maisha Namba system and all of its auxiliary components, such as the Maisha Namba Database, Maisha Digital Identity, and Unique Personal Identifier (UPI).
Additionally, it will lay the groundwork for the registration of previously unregistered biometric traits, such as the iris.
Additionally, the regulations aim to harmonise the Maisha Card with counties as constitutionally established administrative divisions and forms of identification.
