The Kenya Kwanza government on Friday, February 23 received a green-light to roll out the new digital identity cards, popularly known as Maisha Namba.

This is after High Court lifted an order that blocked the government from implementing the new identification system.

High Court judge John Chigiti had on December 5 2023 placed an order stopping the roll out of Maisha Namba pending the determination of a case filed by Katiba Institute.

The Katiba Institute had challenged the process, arguing that there was no legal basis for the rollout of Maisha Namba.

The lobby group also argued that there was no data protection impact assessment, neither was there “meaningful” public participation before the rollout.

But on Friday, the court lifted the order and transferred the matter to the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court.

Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) number

Maisha Card features a unique personal identifier (UPI) number known as Maisha Namba that will be the primary and lifelong registration and identification reference for its holders.

All new-borns will also be issued with Maisha Namba to use in their birth certificates and subsequent registration for government services including school enrolment and health services.

The same number will translate to their Maisha Card number upon attainment of 18 years.