The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Julius Bitok met the civil society on Wednesday, September 20 ahead of the digital ID rollout.
In a press release, the government and civil society said that they have committed to working together to undertake more public education to raise awareness on the proposed digital ID.
Amnesty International Executive Director Irungu Houghton led a host of lobby groups to raise their concerns on the crucial undertaking.
“The objective is to reach out to civil society and get their input to make the process all-inclusive.
We want Kenyan of all walks of life to get an opportunity to give their opinion and feedback,” Julius Bitok said.
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On the other hand, Irũngũ said that the civil society regarded such forums as critical in discussing minimum requirements that must be met for an effective and necessary digitization of the national identity.
“With the enactment of the Data Protection Act, we have jumped probably four decades ahead of European legislation.
With the announcement by the Kenya Kwanza administration that digitization will be the way that they plan to provide services and digitize over 5000 services, we are in different space qualitatively.”
Three bases of Digital ID
Further, the PS told the human rights organizations that the state designed the unique personal identifier, and the 3rd generation ID relying on three key principles:
- Data privacy,
- Inclusion of marginalized communities and
- Involvement of the public.
Additionally, the PS commended the Kenya Civil Society for its good governance and its ability to reach many members of the public and interested groups.
Moreover, the forum was part of stakeholder engagement sessions happening in various parts of the country as the government seeks approval of the project.
However, the PS said that they will have more meetings that would include the religious leaders and the private sectors to create more awareness.
“We want all stakeholders as partners, and we have other sessions scheduled with the private sector and the religious leaders,” the PS said.
Also Read: Gov’t Clarifies Plan to Phase Out Current ID Cards
Outdated System
PS Bitok said the existing registration and Identity ecosystem has been in place for nearly 30 years and is outdated and in need of modernization to make it compliant with international standards.
Additionally, he maintained that the new digital ID will be voluntary except for first-time applicants.
“I want to assure Kenyans that no one will be forced to take up Maisha Card. The current IDs will continue to be recognized as valid identification documents alongside the new card,” he added.
Also, he added that the new card will include superior security and technology features.
President William Ruto had ordered the government agencies to actualize Huduma Namba before the end of the year in January 27.
“It is not the work of the government to issue identification numbers, but it is the work of the government to identify its citizens,” Ruto said.
