Explainer: What the Unique Personal Identifier entails

Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizens Services Julius Bitok has explained how the ministry is planning to roll out the digital identification cards through a Unique Personal Identifier. 

Bitok spoke on Thursday during a media briefing on the proposed digital ID and supporting system namely: Maisha Namba, Maisha Card, Digital ID and National Master Population Register.

He said the UPI will come as a digital ID card called the Maisha card. The Maisha card will have one's Maisha number which is basically their ID number. 

"The Maisha number will be given to newborn children and they will use it throughout their lifetime. It will be their ID number, KRA pin number, NSSF number, birth and death certificate number," Bitok said. 

Those with the current second-generation ID cards that have been used since 1995 can apply for the new third-generation digital IDs, Bitok said. 

"We urge Kenyans to upgrade to this new smart ID. It has a chip and guarantees accuracy when identifying someone," Bitok said adding that it will be optional for Kenyans. 

"Though we say it is optional, we recommend Kenyans to take it as it is more secure. It is critical for every Kenyan to have it. If you have the option of traveling in a Mercedes or a Probox, why opt for the Probox? Why not go for the Benz?" he posed. 

Bitok said the ministry will start rolling out the digital IDs from Monday next week. 

The PS said there will also be a Social ID which is an electronic ID that one walks around with on their phone. 

Bitok described the social ID as a virtual ID. He said Kenyans might no longer need to walk around with a physical identification card. 

The virtual ID will come with a QR code which can be scanned to identify the person. 

Though the digital ID will not be compulsory, the electronic ID will be mandatory for Kenyans to replace their lost IDs. 

He said there will also be a master database called the National Master Population Register with all the ID information of every Kenyan. 

He said Kenyans won't be required to show up at any government office to give their data. 

Bitok said the data will be sourced from records of births, deaths, refugees in the country as well as foreigners. He said the immigration department has complied with the law as it tries to roll out the new digital identification system. 

He noted the ministry has also come up with regulations that will guide the rollout procedure of the digital IDs. 

"We have also engaged public participation in the rollout of the UPIs. Yesterday we held almost 500 meetings across the country engaging the public on this digital ID," Bitok said. 

"We have also engaged civil societies and the media. We are listening to everybody. We want no one left out." 

The PS said the ministry has also looked into the mistakes that were made when the country tried rolling out the Huduma numbers. 

"We want to do better," he said.