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Kenya to introduce digital IDs for citizens by year-end

October 31, 2023No Comments


The Kenyan government plans to roll out its digital ID system in December 2023 after the trial period, which will last for the next few months. According to Kenyan President William Ruto, whose speech at Kenya's East African Device Assembly Plant on the Athi River was aforementioned by local media on October 30:

โ€œDigital ID, which has been a big issue for us for a long time, is now in trial mode for the next two months. โ€œI have been assured by all stakeholders and concerned ministries that in December we will be able to launch digital IDs.โ€

Digital IDs will be introduced in the country alongside Maisha Namba, a system of lifetime personal identification numbers assigned to Kenyan citizens upon registration. The joint identification system will help the country digitize its records and provide citizens with faster access to state, educational and medical resources.

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As said by the Principal Secretary of Immigration and Citizen Services, Julius Bitok explained in August:

"The digital identity system will provide Kenyans with a secure and reliable way to verify their identity for a variety of purposes, including accessing government services, opening bank accounts and travel. [...] โ€œIt will also help reduce fraud and corruption and improve efficiency.โ€

In September, Bitok urged private companies to encompass digital identification systems, as they "enable innovative solutions such as mobile banking and agent networks, transforming e-commerce processes." He promised that the government will ensure that the design of the digital ID "facilitates trade and facilitates business transactions."

In June 2023, the Central Bank of Kenya expressed his doubts on the need to implement central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the short and medium term, referring to โ€œother innovative solutions around the existing ecosystemโ€ that could address Kenya's โ€œpain pointsโ€ in payments.

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