Kenyans To Transact Via Iris Scans, Fingerprints By December: Ruto
The new digital ID will soon require Kenyans to scan their irises and biometrics to verify their identities when conducting transactions.
President William Ruto announced on Monday that the government will pilot the digital identification system for the next two months before implementing it for all citizens in December.
“The digital ID, which has been a major problem to us for a very long time is now on testing mode for the next two months. I have been assured by all the stakeholders and the ministries concerned that by December we will be able to launch digital IDs,” Ruto said during the launch of the East Africa Device Assembly Kenya plant in Athi River, Machakos County.
“… Every Kenyan doesn’t need to carry any paper, plastic, or anything else as an ID. They should be able to be identified digitally using their IDs or fingerprints and we can transact without the necessity of people struggling to identify who they are.”
The digital ID will be implemented concurrently with the Maisha Namba. President Ruto was scheduled to unveil it on October 2, but the government canceled the event on September 29, citing “unavoidable circumstances.”
Maisha Namba will function as a unique identification number assigned to Kenyan citizens at the time of registration, typically at birth. This number will serve as their permanent identification number from birth until mortality.
For neonates, Maisha Namba will also serve as their birth certificate number, facilitating registration in educational institutions, NHIF, and the transition to an ID number at age 18.
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It will also serve as their Personal Identification Number (PIN) for everlasting access to a variety of government services, including KRA, NSSF, NHIF, and NEMIS.
According to the government, this master database will administer data for all registered citizens, refugees, and foreigners using fingerprint biometric technology, thereby improving the accuracy and dependability of data.
“It will consolidate existing independent databases into a single integrated register, serving as the central reference for all data related to Kenyan citizens and foreign residents in the country,” Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok previously explained.
The digital ID, on the other hand, will be a digital representation of a person, organization, or device, typically including personal attributes, credentials, and authentication.
The Maisha card, which will bear the name Maisha Namba, will replace the present second-generation ID with a third-generation ID. It will have enhanced security features, such as a microprocessor chip with encrypted data, which will make forgery and manipulation virtually impossible.
The card will include a photograph of the applicant, an identification number, a serial number, biometric data, biographic data, domicile information, and advanced security features.
Kenyans To Transact Via Iris Scans, Fingerprints By December: Ruto
