Civil Society groups have urged the government to slow down the implementation of a Digital Identity System in Kenya.
In a joint statement on Friday, the groups said past learnings must be at the heart of implementing the Digital Identity System.
The lobby groups are Nubian Rights Forum, Namati Kenya, Access Now, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Haki na Sheria Initiative, Article-19 East Africa, Centre for Minority Rights Development, Katiba Institute, and Defenders Coalition.
This is after the groups noted with concern recent government pronouncements aimed at creating a new digital identity system for all Kenyans.
The groups recognised that digitisation of public and government services is inevitable and has the potential to make citizen services more accessible and convenient.
"It cannot, however, be ignored that a transition of this magnitude comes with pitfalls that must be addressed. Especially if the design and implementation process is not conducted in a transparent, inclusive, and human-rights-centered manner," they said.
Their concerns in the proposed roll-out include lack of transparency on the legal basis of the ID, lack of effective nationwide public participation in the system, and uncertainty about data protection.
Additionally, they were concerned whether human rights impact assessments will be conducted and made available for public review, including the assessment of the risks of exclusion of millions of Kenyans, and the speed at which the roll-out is being planned.
They called for a broad-based engagement to ensure this initiative moves in the right direction.
They said lessons from the Huduma Namba rollout show that if not done right, implementing digital ID systems produces further inequalities for minority and historically marginalised communities, including the Nubian, Borana, Swahili, and Somali communities.
"We call on the government to slow down and not rush to introduce the new digital identity system (UPI)," the lobby groups said.
They noted that the country has been through a similar but largely flawed and poorly rolled out process with the Huduma Namba.
"It is imperative that the government incorporates past learnings in a transparent manner and implements court orders arising from Huduma Namba litigation," they said.
"If not done conscientiously and consultatively, replicating past mistakes will almost certainly occur."
They said a ‘new’ identity system must not replicate ‘old’ injustices..