Immigration Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok has revealed that the government is targeting a daily revenue of Ksh1 billion from the eCitizen platform by December 2024.
Speaking at the Network of Africa Data Protection Associations (NADPA) conference in Nairobi, the PS indicated that the move will be made possible using National IDs.
At the moment, the platform generates Ksh700 million daily in revenue.
Further, he explained that the government intends to drive more users to the platform by ensuring all eligible Kenyans obtain an ID which is required to register an eCitizen account.
Additionally, Bitok said that by December 2024, the eCitizen platform is targeting 30 million subscribers, up from the current 13 million users.
“On average, we are enrolling about 20,000-30,000 people every day. We are at 13 million and we’re looking at the entire population of Kenya which is 32 million adults.”
“We are halfway and within one to two years, we should have everyone with a digital ID,” he said.
Also Read: Frustration as Kenyans in Diaspora Experience eCitizen Outage
Bitok Explains Other Ways of Making Money on eCitizen
At the same time, Bitok announced that beginning the end of May 2024, the government will eliminate vetting committees during the issuance of Digital National IDs along border communities to fasten the process.
“We have removed vetting for identity documents which is an effort to ensure no Kenyan is left out or discriminated as far as getting the documents is concerned,” he said.
Earlier, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu called for a forensic audit on eCitizen while adressing the National Assembly’s Finance and National Planning committee. She indicated that there was unclear information on the management and ownership of the platform.
Also Read: Story of JKUAT Graduate Trusted by Uhuru to Develop & Run eCitizen
Maisha Number and How Data Will Remain Protected
“The government is also banking on the new digital Identity card also known as the Maisha Card and its supporting ecosystem to provide a registration regime that is more secure from forgery and identity theft,” added Bitok.
In addition, the PS noted that Maisha Namba will enable the government to collect personal data that can otherwise be prone to breaches.
Further, to protect the data, he explained that periodic data impact assessments, data safety audits and compulsory MoUs with third part data handlers were being undertaken.
“There are four components in this digital ID ecosystem. Maisha Number, given to newborns which will run across their lives, in primary school, secondary, university, NSSF and NHIF and will appear in one’s death certificate.”
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