The government, through the Department of Immigration, has urged Kenyans who applied for the new generation of identification cards to collect them from their respective application centres.
Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said on Wednesday, February 5, that more than 400,000 processed ID cards were yet to be collected in various application centres across the country.
Addressing the press at Nyayo House in Nairobi, Bitok revealed that the government had already issued three million ID cards since the government began processing the new generation of identifiers.
“We have been able to issue 3 million cards to Kenyans across the country, there are many Kenyans who have applied for the IDs but are yet to be collected,” Bitok said.
"We have 400,000 uncollected IDs in various stations, I want to call upon Kenyans to come and collect their ID cards," Bitok emphasised.
Besides addressing the issue of uncollected IDs, the PS noted that with the introduction of digital IDs, Kenyans were able to upload the new generation identifiers online without the need to carry them around.
Bitok further revealed that the new generation of IDs contained advanced security features, including encrypted biometric data and the owner's image.
"The government has started to roll out the digital IDs, and I am happy to note that you no longer need to carry your physical ID; you can get it uploaded on your phone. Maisha card is a third-generation ID with the latest features," Bitok stated.
In 2023, the government introduced digital identifiers, also known as the Maisha card, which are signed by an individual at birth and used throughout the person's life.
The Maisha card, which was introduced against the backdrop of the failed Huduma number, was designed to address security and privacy issues witnessed with the second-generation IDs.
Despite its new features, Kenyans have continuously expressed dissatisfaction over its launch, with some expressing concern over the high cost of accessing the modern ID.
In December last year, Bitok was forced to defend the government's decision to hike the ID application fee, stating that the move was informed by the increase in the country's inflation levels.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Delegated Legislation, the PS explained that the decision was also reached due to the exorbitant amount of money spent by the government in acquiring the printing materials for the IDs.
