A Kenyan High Court has lifted an order preventing the Kenyan government from printing new digital IDs.
Details
The courts had stayed the distribution of digital identity cards, commonly known as Maisha Number in December last year following a petition filed from the Katiba Institute.
Among the issues raised by the Katiba Institute were the security of personal information collected, its evaluation and processing as well as public participation.
High Court Justice John Chigiti reviewed and lifted earlier orders and further directed that the matter be transferred to the constitutional human rights division for hearing and decision.
Zoom out
In November, the Kenyan government launched a pilot program for the new digital IDs. The government said first-time ID applicants would be issued the “new Maisha card”.
Applicants who had to replace damaged or lost cards would also receive the new card.
What happens next?
After the lifting of the precautionary measures, the government will now speed up the issuance of the new cards. He said over 60,000 Kenyans he had already applied for the identity cards.
“The Department of Immigration and Citizens Services has taken cognizance of the Supreme Court’s Order on Friday, 23 February 2024, lifting the orders issued on 5 December 2023, which prevented the Home Office and the National Administration from issuing a new generation national ID Card known and as a Maisha Card,” he said Professor Julius Bitok, Permanent Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services.
The Maisha Card will include a unique personal identification number (UPI) known as Maisha Namba which will act as the primary and permanent reference of registration and identification for its bearers.
Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Twitterand Instagramand subscribe to our weekly newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any news.
Related