A Kenyan High Court has lifted an injunction that prevented the Kenyan government from printing new digital identity cards.
Details
The courts had suspended the distribution of Digital ID cards, commonly known as Maisha Number in December last year following an application filed by Katiba Institute.
Among the issues Katiba Institute raised was the safety of the personal information collected, its assessment and processing as well as public participation.
High Court judge John Chigiti reviewed and lifted earlier orders and further directed that the matter be transferred to the constitutional human rights division for hearing and determination.
Zoom Out
In November, the Kenyan government launched a trial programme for the new digital IDs. The government said first-time ID applicants would be issued the “new Maisha Card,”.
Applicants who needed to replace defaced or lost cards were also to receive the new card.
What Happens Next
Following the lifting of the injunction, the government will now accelerate the issuance of the new cards. He said over 60,000 Kenyans had already applied for the ID cards.
“State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services has taken note of the High Court Directive on Friday, February 23, 2024, lifting the orders issued on December 5, 2023, that bared the Ministry of Interior and National Administration from the issuance of new generation national Identity Card also known as Maisha Card,” said Prof Julius Bitok, Permanent Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services.
Maisha Card will include a unique personal identity (UPI) number known as Maisha Namba that will act as the primary and permanent registration and identifying reference for its bearers.
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