Cs Kindiki Says Kenya will Switch to Electronic ID Cards

The Cabinet Secretary of Interior and Administration of National Government Kithure Kindiki has said the government is set to launch new electronic (IDs) identification cards.

Similar to huduma numbers, the new generation IDs will have a machine-readable chip and QR code and allow web-based authentication.

“We had an ID system in Kenya which is semi-automated. Going forward we are looking at upgrading our current automated fingerprint identification system into an automated biometric identification system which goes beyond the fingerprint and involves the iris and facial recognition,” Kindiki said.

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“We are moving towards an electronic ID with a machine-readable QR code, and eventually this should lead us to a digital ID system which will allow web-based ID authentication. In the long run, this will transit into a unique personal identifier which becomes their ID.”

The previous regime launched huduma number, which was meant to work as the official government-issued document for identification and conduct of transactions.