•Immigration PS Julius Bitok noted that the High Court's decision brings relief to more than 600,000 Kenyans.
•The State Department emphasized its dedication to implementing reforms within the Kenya National Identity ecosystem.
Image: FILE
The State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services has announced the immediate resumption of Maisha Card issuance.
This decision follows a High Court directive on Friday which lifted the orders imposed on December 5, 2023.
These orders had previously prevented the Ministry of Interior and National Administration from issuing new generation National Identity Cards, also known as Maisha Cards.
In a statement, Immigration PS Julius Bitok noted that the High Court's decision brings relief to more than 600,000 Kenyans whose applications for new and duplicate ID cards were put on hold due to the earlier court order.
"The State Department acknowledges the support and patience demonstrated by Kenyans during this period of uncertainty," he said.
Assuring citizens with pending applications, the Bitok noted that the department committed to swift and fair processing of IDs on a first-in-first-out basis, starting immediately.
"This move aims to address the backlog caused by the court order, ensuring that eligible individuals receive their Maisha Cards promptly," he added.
Going further, the State Department emphasized its dedication to implementing reforms within the Kenya National Identity ecosystem.
"We commit to continue implementing reforms to the Kenya National Identity ecosystem in a manner that respects the Constitution and our laws and in respect to the rights and the interests of all citizens and clients of Government services," Bitok added.
As part of their ongoing efforts, the department pledged to maintain collaborative engagements with stakeholders, seeking meaningful input in the implementation of the Kenya National Digital Identity ecosystem.
Last November, PS Bitok stated the government had put in place measures to ensure that data in Maisha Cards will be safe.
“Those spreading propaganda about the safety of the Maisha Card are wrong and just want to derail such a noble initiative. The card to be issued will not have any secret chips as claimed,” he said then.
Bitok, who was speaking at the Eldoret International Airport, said the government had made good progress in implementing the plan with all components of the Maisha Number.
He said the Maisha Card will be a smart card that will carry the Maisha Number, adding that it has gone through all necessary testing to ensure the data it contains will be safe.
Bitok said the Maisha Number will be used throughout one’s life.
“Those claiming that there will be some secret chips to be introduced on the Maisha Card for children are dead wrong and just aim to derail our plan to digitise every process we have in the country and make life easy for Kenyans,” he said.