The Kenyan government has unveiled a new name for the upcoming rollout of the Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) scheduled for October 2, 2023.
While signing a memorandum of understanding between the Kenyan government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Immigration PS Julius Bitok noted that the UPI will henceforth be referred to as Maisha Namba.
He noted that the deal will support the development and rollout of Digital Identity in Kenya and will be anchored on resource mobilisation, technical advisory and project monitoring.
The Maisha Namba, he stated, will be integral to the Kenyan Digital ID.
A source from the Immigration Department confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke that Maisha Namba Is different from the Digital ID.
"They’re different. Maisha Namba will be a number that will replace the current birth entry number which is currently issued with birth certificates. Maisha Namba will be the reference number for future identity for all subsequent stages: school, national ID, KRA pin," the source explained.
The Digital ID, on the other hand, will be a virtual ID. The physical ID will be encrypted and will have biometric features that will be readable on a scanner. Meaning you don’t need a document to identify you.
Other items accompanying the Digital ID are a Maisha Card, document that will bear the Maisha Namba and replacing the second generation ID card and a National Master Population Register that consolidates existing and independent data bases into a single integrated register of data on Kenyans and foreigners resident in the country.
The project, which is similar in some aspects to Huduma Namba which experienced an underwhelming rollout under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, seeks to connect various individual databases to facilitate effortless access to a comprehensive array of government services.
While unveiling the government's plans to introduce the digital ID, ICT CS Eliud Owalo remarked that there's no need for Kenyan citizens to bear a physical identification card whenever they seek government services.
"The rationale for conceptualising the digital ID is informed by the fact that Kenyans do not need to physically flash an ID card in order to access government services," he stated soon after he took over the Ministry.
"Kenyans should be able to conduct business from wherever they are once we have integrated government services onto technological platforms."
In May, a Kenyan delegation flew to Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) headquarters to explore a potential partnership in the development of the digital ID.
Nadra Chairman Tariq Malik told the press that the authority was ready to continue working with the Kenyan Government after holding a series of meetings with the delegation.
He added that the digital ID would champion inclusivity, unite government services, and lead governance reforms in state offices.
Bitok, who was part of the delegation, noted that he was ready to work with Pakistan in understanding the identity management system.
"Kenya has different disparate, in-silo environment databases and there is a need to link all the databases with a central repository making it one single version of truth. We are looking forward to working closely with Nadra on the future project related to National Digital Identity," he stated at the time.
Civil societies groups under the Operation Linda Ugatuzi umbrella, however, opposed the intended roll out noting that it will cost Kenyans their jobs and waste more taxpayers money.
“Why is this government hell-bent on wasting money on the project during these tough economic times yet it is similar to the Huduma Namba?" Fred Ogola, an activist questioned in June.
“What will happen to the over 1,000 employed by Huduma Numba now that the government wants to tender what could have been done by Kenyans to Pakistan? Why are we risking our data?”
The rollout of Huduma Namba cost the State Ksh10 billion.
