Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, on Wednesday, demanded the nullification of two government projects associated with Maisha Namba Digital IDs whose implementation was halted by the High Court.
The government had in September 2023 approved four components in the development of Digital Identity including Maisha Namba (UPI), Maisha Card & Digital Signature, and Master National Population Register.
Through his X platform, the activist stated that the National Master Population Register (NMPR) and the Maisha card (chip-bearing ID) were non-compliant with Kenya’s Data Protection Act.
The first-time senator further highlighted the need for data protection impact assessment to help the country in the actualisation of citizen data-related projects.
Data protection impact assessment helps to identify risks that might arise from processing personal data and to minimise these risks in line with protecting citizens and their right to privacy.
Omtatah also noted that the court's intervention in halting the rollout of the Maisha number is a repeat of a verdict that ultimately nullified the digital ID scheme’s predecessor, Huduma Namba, launched by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“The Implementation of the associated chip-bearing physical identity card, digital ID, unique personal Identifier (UPI), and National Master Population Register must all halt until the project is compliant with Kenya’s Data Protection Act,” he stated.
High Court, on Tuesday. nullified the rollout of Maisha Namba, which is a 14-digit Unique Personal Identifier that would appear on a citizen’s driver’s license, birth and death certificates.
“Upon perusing the application alongside the annexures therein, I find that the application is not frivolous nor vexatious.” the judgment read in part.
Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, on September 28 2023, unveiled the digital identifications and a supporting system, which included the Maisha Namba, Maisha Card, Digital ID, and National Master Population Register.
"Maisha number will be given to newborn children and they will use it throughout their lifetime. It will be their ID number, KRA PIN, NSSF number, birth and death certificate number," Bitok explained.
The government had set aside Ksh 1 billion for the implementation of the digital Identifiers, with the Immigration Department set to conduct public awareness and aid Kenyans in understanding the benefits of the new digital systems.
