Gov't postpones Maisha Namba launch due to 'unavoidable circumstances'

In a statement issued on Friday, Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok, said the launch that was set to take place at the Athletics Club, Nakuru County, had been called off due to  “unavoidable circumstances”.

Prof. Bitok said a new date for the launch of the Maisha Namba will be communicated in due course.

“We wish to inform the public and all the stakeholders that, due to unavoidable circumstances, the official launch of the Maisha Namba and the digital ID ecosystem that was to be presided over by His Excellency, the President William Ruto, CGH, on October 2, 2025, at the Athletics Club, Nakuru County has been postponed,” reads the statement in part.

The PS however highlighted that the ongoing countrywide public participation and stakeholders' engagement forums on Maisha Namba will continue as planned.

Maisha Namba will serve as a unique personal identification number assigned to Kenyan citizens upon registration, typically at birth. This number will become their lifelong personal identity number from birth to death.

For newborns, Maisha Namba will also serve as their birth certificate number, facilitating registration in educational institutions, NHIF, and transitioning to an ID number once they reach 18 years of age.

It will also function as their Personal Identification Number (PIN) for accessing various government services, including KRA, NSSF, NHIF, and NEMIS throughout their lifetime.

According to the government, this master database will manage data for all registered citizens, refugees, and foreigners using fingerprint biometric technology, enhancing data accuracy and reliability.

"It will consolidate existing independent databases into a single integrated register, serving as the central reference for all data related to Kenyan citizens and foreign residents in the country," PS Bitok previously explained.

On the other hand, the Digital ID will be a digital representation of an individual, organization, or device, typically encompassing personal attributes, credentials, and authentication. 

Maisha card, which will bear Maisha Namba, will essentially be a 3rd generation ID that will replace the current 2nd generation ID. It will have enhanced security features, including a microprocessor electronic chip with encrypted data, rendering forgery and manipulation nearly impossible.

The card will feature a photo image of the applicant, an ID number, a card serial number, biometric data, biographic data, residential particulars, and advanced security elements.