Departmental heads in Narok have been called to sensitise the members of the public on the new Maisha Namba initiative that the government rolled out for easy personal identification.
Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia asked departmental heads to educate the staff under their dockets and the society on the new Maisha Namba to get the right information.
He spoke during a County Implementation Coordination and Management Committee (CICMC) meeting.
“Government officials are expected to conduct vigorous public sensitisation forums so that every person can understand the new project,” he said.
Narok civil registrar William Irungu told the heads of the department that Maisha Namba will serve as the birth certificate number for newborns and the registration number for all government services.
The government services include personal identification numbers for the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and enrolment in education institutions (NEMIS) among others.
Those currently applying for identification cards are being issued with a Maisha card that has enhanced security features.
This has replaced the current second-generation Identification cards commissioned about 30 years ago.
He said the new features include a microchip, national identification number, geo-residential data, photo image and serial number.
"The identification number of your second-generation ID will not change," he added.
The Maisha card is to be renewed after ten years to update the holder’s photo as one’s appearance can change significantly in ten years.
The renewal will also help to mop out illegal circulating identity cards like those issued to deceased persons.
Irungu said the third-generation electronic cards would enable more efficient validation of personal identification data hence simplifying citizens’ access to services.
"The individuals interested in having a Maisha card can download the ‘Gava Mkononi app’ on their mobile phones and complete the registration process," he said.
The civil registrar told residents to give the right details when registering to avoid incurring costs later on when they come seeking for their details to be corrected.
The heads of department, led by the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) will move around the county sensitising residents on the new Maisha number and card.
