All set for digital record of Kenyans next April

Uncollected ID cards in Kisumu. PHOTO | FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• More than 40 per cent of births and over 50 per cent of deaths in Kenya were not recorded in the national registry

By Nation Reporter
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The Sh5 billion national digital registration of Kenyans and national assets starts in April next year, according to the Kenya Citizens and Foreign Nationals Management Service.

 

Ms Mwende Gatabaki, the director-general of the service, who spoke at a Nairobi hotel on Wednesday, said citizens would be given a unique digital identifier.

The announcement came amid reports that more than 40 per cent of births and over 50 per cent of deaths in Kenya were not recorded in the national registry.

In addition, Ms Gatabaki said that more than 10 per cent of the current data comprises dead people but their identity cards were being used to transact business and to vote.

She said that lack of effective data compilation had complicated national planning and encouraged fraud.

Ms Gatabaki said technology-enabled National Digital Registry Service would ensure the implementation of a people registry.

“Kenyans will be able to authentic themselves using digital registry on their mobile phones, to access public services from anywhere, anytime and any day, without paper documents,” she said.