Kenya has signed a cooperation framework with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support the development of the country’s Digital Identity infrastructure.
The partnership covering resource mobilization, technical advisory and project monitoring was announced on Monday following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Nairobi.
Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok termed the MoU as key to the implementation of a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) dubbed Maisha Namba upon which the Digital ID will be anchored.
“Together, we shall build on our current registration and identity management practices in a manner that does not re-invent but rather identify and fix gaps in our current systems and leverages on digital solutions, including mobile and web applications to transition to better systems,” he said.
Bitok added the programme will also facilitate citizen’s access to worldwide online commercial opportunities by providing a secure, tamper proof and authenticated digital identity.
“The digital identity programme will also enhance citizens access to their constitutional and human and legal identity rights,” Bitok explained.
He reiterated government’s commitment to transforming Public Service delivery in the country by entrenching digitization of government services.
Bitok said the official unveiling of both Maisha Namba and Digital ID is set for October 2.
“The President is confident that we can do it. We are confident that we can do it. We shall do it,” he added.
Maisha Namba transition
UNDP Resident Representative Anthony Ngororano, who co-signed the MoU with Bitok, applauded the Kenyan government for the milestone.
The lauded efforts to ensure all services are digitized stating that the world is moving digital, and Kenya should not be left behind.
“I want to recognize the government of Kenya for engaging with non-state actors and it is something we do not take it for granted as Kenya has been a country as UNDP, we have been looking on ways to add value on this digital ID programme,” he said.
“I can tell you having tackled such programme recently from end to end that we will ensure this come true as designed and ensure it remains a whole of society approach,” he added.
President William Ruto tasked the Ministry of ICT to revive the government’s effort to give Kenyans digital identity in a directive issued in January 2023.
Speaking during the commemoration of the Data Privacy Day at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), President Ruto said the move was in line with his government’s plan to digitize 5,000 services.
He explained that with the digitization of government services, Kenyans will require digital identification.
“I have asked the Ministry of ICT to work on a digital identity so that the big Huduma thing (Huduma Namba) that never was, we can finally have as Kenya, a digital identity,” he said.
“I have told my good friend ICT CS Eliud Owalo that by the end of this year, Kenyans must be able to identify themselves digitally.”
The digital ID is meant to replace the Huduma Namba which was launched in 2019 by Uhuru Kenyatta’s government.
