Julius Bitok, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Immigration and Citizen Services, released a comprehensive statement on Monday addressing the introduction of digital identity cards, known as Maisha cards, and the current state of ID processing in Kenya.
Bitok addressed several concerns raised about the Maisha cards, particularly the 10-year expiration date for National ID cards. He explained:
“The renewal of National ID cards every decade is not unique to Kenya. It’s a common practice in various countries that have implemented ID cards with microchips, including our neighbors Uganda and Tanzania, as well as Nigeria, Senegal, and even European nations like France.”
He further clarified that while renewal is necessary, it won’t require a complete reapplication process:
“When renewing an expired National ID, applicants won’t need to provide fresh biometrics. However, we will require a new passport-sized photo to account for potential changes in facial features over time.”
Reasons for Maisha Card
Responding to inquiries from civil society organizations, Bitok outlined several reasons for developing the Maisha ecosystem:
1. Compliance with best practices: “The Maisha system aligns with regional and international standards for personal registration documents, including National ID cards.”
2. International recognition: “We’ve designed these cards to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements for cross-border identification documents.”
3. Enhanced security: “The Maisha cards incorporate advanced security features, making them significantly more difficult to forge or tamper with.”
4. Digital integration: “These cards enable the creation of a digital version of the National ID, paving the way for more efficient government services.”
5. Centralized database: “The Maisha system allows for the creation of a master national register, eliminating the need for multiple separate personal registration records across government departments.”
Current State of ID Processing
Addressing concerns about ID production, Bitok provided an update on the National Registration Bureau’s (NRB) efforts:
“The NRB fully recognizes that the National ID Card is both a constitutional right and an essential identification document. We are committed to ensuring eligible Kenyans receive their IDs as promptly as possible.”
He went on to detail recent improvements:
“To meet the growing demand for our services, the NRB has invested in a state-of-the-art printer. This has significantly boosted our daily production capacity to 30,000 National ID Cards, which comfortably exceeds the current average demand of 10,000 applications per day.”
