The government has printed over half a million new Digital Identification cards dubbed Maisha Namba Card following the review by the High Court on its earlier ruling on the rollout of the IDs.
On August 27, 2024, the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services revealed that the National Registration Bureau (NRB) has printed 505,197 National IDs in the last fourteen days since the High Court order.
“In the last fourteen (14) days, the NRB has printed 505,197 National ID cards (162,856 new and 344,341 duplicates). Only 1,358 applications are currently in the routine processing queue,” read part of the statement.
“By July 25th, 2024, 451,228 National ID card applications (130,302 new and 320,926 duplicates) had been received at NRB and were in various stages of production. An additional 108,697 National ID card applications were received between August 12th and 26th, 2024, at the NRB production center.”
On the other hand, Principal Secretary Bitok urged applicants who are yet to collect their cards to visit the station where they submitted their application as soon as possible while revealing the number of uncollected IDs.
Uncollected Maisha Namba IDs
He said that Nairobi County has the highest number of uncollected ID cards (55,327) followed by Kiambu (37,708) and Nakuru (28,581).
“By close of business on August 26th, 2024, 476,167 printed National ID cards were lying uncollected in the NRB registration offices and Huduma Centres across the country,” the statement adds.
Also Read: Govt Explains Why New National IDs Will Expire
Other counties with a high number of uncollected National ID cards are Kisumu (18,529), Mombasa (17.140), Kisii (15,842), Muranga (13,627), Uasin Gishu (13,155), Kajiado (12,533) and Bungoma (12,053).
Applicants seeking information on the status of their National ID card application and other pertinent details can reach the NRB through listed communication channels.
They include Toll-free Line: 08000230007, X: Sajili_IDKe, Facebook: NRB Kitambulisho, and Instagram: National Registration Bureau.
At the same time, the department has maintained that NRB has cleared the backlog of National ID card applications.
Bitok highlighted that the Bureau is expeditiously processing new requests as received and has ramped up the printing capacity to 32,000 National ID cards per day.
Further, he said that the Bureau has deployed more personnel and introduced a 24-hour service dedicated to the processing and production of National ID cards.
High Court ruling
The statement comes after the High Court on July 25th, 2024, issued a conservatory order that temporarily barred the Government from the issuance of Maisha Namba Card.
Also Read: Court Throws Digital ID, Maisha Number in Limbo After Ruling
Following the Government’s appeal, the High Court set aside the conservatory order on August 12, 2024, allowing NRB to resume the printing of new and duplicate National ID cards.
Judge Justice Lawrence Mugambi set aside the conservatory orders he issued on July 25, noting that there is no juridical significance that is left in the Petitioner/Respondent’s application of July 23, 2024.
NRB has maintained that it fully appreciates the importance of the National ID Card as a constitutional right and an essential identification document and that it will strive to ensure all eligible applicants obtain it as promptly as possible.
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