The government will spend Sh1 billion to roll out the new third-generation IDs, which will be known as the Maisha Card.
State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok said the new IDs will be different from the Huduma Namba.
“We have transitioned from Huduma Namba to Maisha Card. I want to point out that we will not go back to Kenyans for biometrics because we will use the existing database,” he said.
The previous administration launched the Huduma Namba digital program which was stopped by the courts over data protection concerns.
Kenya Kwanza administration is now rolling out similar digital IDs but with additional features.
The system aims to offer citizens and residents a unique and easily verifiable digital identifier.
By implementing this digital ID system, the government intends to boost service delivery and promote financial inclusion for all.
The Unique Personal Identifier can be used as the school admission number as well as the index number for national examinations.
UPI can serve as the ID number on attaining 18 years, the registration number for NHIF, NSSF and driving license number.
Bitok said the National Digital Identity Technical Committee, which was mandated to come up with a digital ID in the country, has approved the proposed National Digital Identifier (Maisha Namba).
“At the end of 90 days we will roll out activities for the implementation of Maisha Namba,” he said.
The PS said it will take time to fully roll out the third-generation IDs.
“We will take between two to three years to transition to the new number if we issue about three to four million cards annually,” he said.
Bitok said Kenyans replacing their lost IDs will not be issued with the second generation cards but with the Maisha Card.
“About 1.5 million IDs are replaced annually. Those replacing their lost or damaged IDs will get Maisha Cards,” he said.
Bitok spoke to the media after chairing a meeting of the Principal Secretaries Sub-Committee of the National Digital Identity Technical Committee.
President William Ruto gave the committee 90 days to come up with a digital ID in Kenya.
The committee has 20 days to go.
Huduma Namba had harmonised several registrations into one identification number, including the registration and replacement of ID cards, application and renewal of driving license, registration for passport, registration for NHIF and NSSF cards and registration for birth and death certificates.