A coalition of ten local human rights organizations is raising a voice, calling for a halt to the planned roll-out of the Maisha Number, a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) scheduled for implementation on September 29. These groups have cited insufficient public engagement and the absence of a robust legal framework as their primary concerns, even as the nation prepares to transition to third-generation identity cards.
This call for action comes hot on the heels of the National Steering Committee for Digital Identity’s approval of proposals made by the National Digital Identity Technical Committee to introduce a National Digital ID.
The organizations vehemently opposing the perceived ‘hasty’ Maisha Number roll-out include the Nubian Rights Forum, Namati Kenya, Centre for Minority Development, Kenya Human Rights Commission Defenders Coalition, Access Now, Katiba Institute, Haki Na Sheria Initiative, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa, and Pastoralists Rights and Advocacy Network. These groups argue that introducing the Maisha Number has disregarded essential steps for upgrading and reforming the identification system.
Furthermore, they express concerns that the government’s ongoing efforts to develop a digital ID system could repeat the mistakes that plagued the predecessor, Huduma Namba.T
he human rights groups caution that failure to address the current inadequacies could lead to discrimination, privacy violations, and exclusion, especially for communities historically challenged in obtaining documentation, similar to the “flawed” implementation of Huduma Namba.
The organizations urge the government to seize the opportunity to initiate a cross-stakeholder collaboration process, with a transition period to ensure a seamless digital ID rollout. They also appeal to the government to guarantee that all Kenyan citizens have access to essential documentation, including birth certificates and ID cards, before progressing with digitization. This should involve expanding the number of registration and identification offices and providing adequate resources for these facilities.
Additionally, they call for a thorough Data Protection Impact Assessment and Human Rights Impact Assessment, particularly in underserved areas of Kenya.
Civil Society organizations also emphasize the importance of an all-inclusive process. They demand the improvement of nationwide infrastructure, such as electricity and internet access, and addressing any other needs identified by the Kenyan public before implementing the National Digital Identity system.On September 12, Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok confirmed that President William Ruto would launch a Sh1 billion project to transition the country into a digital UPI-based national identity database on September 29.
He clarified that the National Digital Identity comprises four components: UPI (Maisha Number), Maisha Card (a third-generation ID card), Digital ID linked to a mobile phone, and a National Master Population Register containing all individuals residing in Kenya. The Immigration PS stated that the technical committee would initiate activities toward implementing the national digital identity within the 90 days directed by the president.
Once assigned at birth, the Maisha Number will serve as a lifelong UPI, simplifying documentation processes throughout an individual’s lifetime. PS Bitok clarified that, unlike the Huduma Number, which required collecting biometric data from the public, the Maisha Number would be generated using existing databases, including those from civil registration.
For those needing ID replacements, the new cards will take the form of Maisha cards, with the government transitioning to third-generation cards moving forward.
The September 30 deadline marks the cessation of issuing second-generation cards, with new applicants receiving the Maisha Number. Bitok emphasized that the Maisha Number would feature a Machine-Readable Zone compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, setting it apart from its predecessor, the Huduma Card.
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