The Kenyan High Court has removed the injunction that halted the government’s printing of new digital identity cards, commonly known as the Maisha Number. The court suspended ID card issuance in December following an application by Katiba Institute, which raised concerns about personal information safety, assessment, processing, and public participation.
High Court judge John Chigiti lifted the earlier orders and directed the transfer of the matter to the constitutional human rights division for a thorough hearing and determination. In November, the Kenyan government initiated a trial program for the new digital IDs, with first-time applicants and those replacing defaced or lost cards receiving the “new Maisha Card.”
With the injunction lifted, Professor Julius Bitok, the Permanent Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services, stated that the government would accelerate the issuance of the new cards. Over 60,000 Kenyans had already applied for the ID cards by that time.
Bitok assured individuals with pending applications that the government would expeditiously produce IDs on a first-in-first-out basis, starting immediately. The Maisha Card includes a unique personal identity (UPI) number known as Maisha Namba, serving as the primary and permanent registration and identifying reference for its holders.
President William Ruto emphasized that the digital ID pilot aims to advance the country’s digital objectives, including enhancing access to government services. The government is now set to move forward with the issuance of the new generation national identity cards.
