Kenyan Identity Card seekers may have to wait longer after the Milimani High Court issued a conservatory order halting the implementation of the Maisha Namba rollout.
On Thursday, High Court Judge, L.N Mugambi ruled the government will be required to halt the issuance of the Unique Personal Identifier (Maisha Namba), and all relevant documents.
The documents include the 3rd Generation National Identification Card (Maisha Card), and the Maisha Digital ID and Maisha Database.
“Pending the hearing and determination of this Application, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued staying/halting the further and continued implementation of the Unique Personal Identifier (Maisha Namba), 3rd Generation National Identification Card (Maisha Card), Maisha Digital ID and Maisha Database,” read the statement in part.
The petition filed by Haki na Sheria termed the rollout of the Maisha number as unconstitutional.
According to Justice Mugambi, if the mass rollout goes on, and if eventually, the court finds there was a violation, the process may not easily be redressable.
The court further directed that the application be served to the respondents by close of business July 26.
Responses by the government will be required to be filed within seven days from the date of application.
Further directions on the matter will be issued on September 17, 2024.
The court's ruling comes after Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok on Monday explained the government’s decision to have the digital identity cards dubbed Maisha Card.
According to the statement, the government was operating in line with the global standard practice where countries have transitioned into issuance of digital ID cards.
However, the civil society had raised concerns regarding the Maisha Card including the 10-year expiry date slapped on the National ID cards.
