The Kenyan government is gearing up to launch its digital identification system in December 2023, following a two-month testing period. President William Ruto, while speaking at the East Africa Device Assembly Kenya plant in Athi River, stated that the digital ID system, which has long been a challenge for the nation, is now in the testing phase. He expressed confidence that it would be ready for launch by December.
The digital ID rollout will be accompanied by the introduction of “Maisha Namba,” a system that assigns lifelong personal identification numbers to Kenyan citizens upon registration. This joint ID system is expected to facilitate the digitization of registries and provide citizens with faster access to government services, education, and healthcare resources.
Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary of Immigration and Citizen Services, highlighted the significance of the digital identity system. He explained that it would offer Kenyans a secure and reliable way to verify their identity for various purposes, including accessing government services, opening bank accounts, and traveling. Additionally, it is expected to reduce fraud and corruption while improving overall efficiency.
Bitok also encouraged private businesses to embrace the digital ID systems, emphasizing their potential to drive innovative solutions such as mobile banking and agent networks, ultimately transforming e-commerce processes. The government intends to design the digital ID to facilitate commerce and streamline business transactions.
In June 2023, the Central Bank of Kenya expressed reservations about the immediate implementation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The central bank referred to “other innovative solutions around the existing ecosystem” as potential means to address payment-related challenges in Kenya, indicating that a CBDC might not be the most immediate solution.
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