Let Kenya modernise the process of registering people

By Machel Waikenda           

Millions of Kenyans do not have identification documents that are key to accessing essential services — they cannot purchase a mobile phone sim card to open  bank accounts because they lack these documents.

By contrast,   a large number of  foreigners hold onto fake identification documents acquired through illegal means. Some of these are terrorists who use these  fake documents to blend in civilised society and get away with murder. Literally.

The system needs to be cleaned up and corrupt government bureaucrats  who abuse the process of registering individuals weeded out.  We must find a way of sealing border points to stop illegal entry of foreigners and contraband, so that we dismantle cartels involved in these criminal acts. In the last few weeks, far too many illegal “aliens” confessed they had bribed immigration officials to be supplied with national identity cards.

This is one of the reasons why government  is keen on registering all Kenyan residents afresh and develop a digital database through which information about those issued with new generation digital  ID cards can be more easily accessed.

Although the  digitisation of records is not foolproof, it nonetheless provides the best alternative to limiting the abuse of the national registration process; it is why more countries are digitising their databases and developing biometric registration systems.

However, the acquisition of biometric kits has to be above board — we must learn from the mistakes made by the Independent Electoral  and Boundaries Commission and  avoid the hurried and irregular procurement of equipment.  The databases established must be tamper-proof so that personal information of those registered — identity, birth records, medical details, photographs and descriptive physical features — are protected.

  This information will be critical for government planning and will allow for the easier sharing of data between state agencies; for instance providing census and research data,  and planning for events such as the General Election.

Countries such as  Argentina, Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Peru and Spain have successfully adapted such systems.  For instance, visitors intending to visit Australia and returning Australian residents with e-Passports  have to submit to biometric authentication as part of the Smartgate system, linking individuals to their visas and passports. One is only cleared for entry if the  face biometrics matches information in the database.

Since 2009, the Gambia Biometric Identification System (GAMBIS) has been used for the issuance of that country’s   biometric identity documents.  A National Identification Number, unique to each applicant applying for a card, is issued to the applicant. Biometric documents issued in Gambia include national identity cards, residential permits, non-Gambian ID cards and driver’s licenses.

India has the most elaborate biometric identification system allowing for digital identity, instantly verifiable online at the point of service at anytime and anywhere. The data is transmitted in encrypted form over the Internet for authentication.

This is why India, considered the world’s largest democracy, is able to hold its elections with the secure  knowledge that one to cast a vote from anywhere in the world.

A digital database allows for cost savings — the storage and retrieval of information is easier and the handling of paper records is eliminated.  This allows for better-informed decision-making as access to accurate information is quicker.

Kenya is not re-inventing the wheel, but adhering to global best practices by mounting the digital platform.

We must not allow criminal elements to gain easier access to our country to our detriment.  We must go digital.

The writer is a political analyst and communications consultant