Government to start Maisha Namba sensitization this weekend

Prof Julius Bitok PS for Immigration and Citizens Services flanked by members of The House Committee On Administration and National Security. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The government has announced that it will intensify public education on the proposed digital ID all over the country this weekend.

This comes after lobby groups raised alarm over the lack of public participation and awareness in the process.

The government has announced that it will launch a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) number for all Kenyans dubbed 'Maisha Namba' on September 29, 2023.

President William Ruto will oversee the launch in Nakuru according to Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok.

The education forums will be coordinated by over 400 Regional, County and District Commissioners.

"In the next two weeks, we urge you to take time and explain to wananchi what digital ID is and why the government is introducing it. The President is keen to leverage technology for service delivery," said Bitok.

The Regional, County and District Commissioners have already been briefed on how to conduct the trainings when they met Head of Public Service Felix Koskei at the Kenya School of Government on Friday, September 15.

PS Bitok said there was need to update the existing registration and identity ecosystem since it is outdated since it has been in place for over 30 years.

"Kenya's commitment to the East Africa Common Market Protocol necessitates the issuance of electronic national ID cards conforming to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for travel documents," said Bitok.

According to the PS the government will hold more stakeholders' engagement sessions with the civil society, religious and elected leaders and the private sector among others.