Kenyans to Be Issued with New Digital IDs from as Early as December

Kenyans could be issued with new digital Identity Cards (IDs) from as early as December, ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru has announced. 

Mucheru said the government will expedite the process of creating the mass bio-metric national registry under the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) from next month.

This comes after the Interior ministry allocated Sh3 billion for setting up of the digital database for the entire citizenry through the capture of personal identifiable data(PID) including eye, ear and voice patterns.

The government will also employ global positioning system (GPS) coordinates to enable satellite tracking of individuals. This is in addition to other geographical attributes such as individual’s land reference numbers, plot or house numbers.

“We are registering every Kenyan biometrically to ensure the government is aware of who it is serving to better the experience by fast-tracking processes and creating efficiency in operations,” Mucheru said.

Mucheru said the new system will create a one-stop shop to all personal enquiries especially for those seeking crucial government services.

“By ensuring that everyone is on the digital registry, individuals will have access to crucial services no matter their geographical location countrywide- a matter which has been difficult to this moment.”