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The Kenyan government has revised and gazetted legislation to accommodate a new biometric citizen registration method for an upcoming digital ID system pilot.
Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services, announced this development during a recent event attended by various stakeholders in the digital ID implementation process, including religious leaders, as reported by The Star.
The amended Registration of Persons Regulations, authorized by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on October 25, now includes provisions for issuing a digital ID card and a digital register of persons. The updated Maisha Digital Card legislation also introduces the Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) to be assigned to newborns, simplifying the process of establishing birth certificates.
Notably, the revised amendment introduces facial recognition and iris biometrics as new requirements for ID verification, in addition to the existing fingerprint biometrics.
Bitok mentioned that with the publication of the legislation, a pilot to assess the viability and functionality of the digital ID system will commence soon, followed by a nationwide rollout. He emphasized the importance of securing the system, stating that the Maisha Card will be tamper-proof.
In an effort to avoid the shortcomings of previous digital ID systems, consultations with various stakeholders will continue as part of the ongoing planning for the ID scheme. Over 698 consultation meetings with stakeholders have already taken place, Bitok noted.
Religious leaders who attended the event expressed their willingness to support the digital ID rollout by contributing to awareness and sensitization efforts. However, they urged the government to ensure a well-executed rollout.
Bishop Philip Kitoto, Chairman of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), emphasized the need for the program to address key concerns, particularly regarding data privacy and security.
Samuel Makori, a religious leader from the Seventh-day Adventist Church, commended the government’s project but hoped that measures would be taken to avoid duplicating roles and wasting resources.
The launch date for the new digital ID program remains uncertain, as the government recently postponed an initial plan. In a recent ID4Africa podcast, Bitok reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establishing a proper governance framework for the digital ID system.
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