KBC Channel 1

Tag: National ID cards

  • Tech revolution ends long waits for National ID Cards

    Tech revolution ends long waits for National ID Cards

    In a region long plagued by service delivery delays and missed opportunities, a quiet but impactful shift is taking place, ushered in not with grand fanfare but through technology that now delivers national identity cards within just seven days.

    While conducting a spot check of the Mobile ID Registration exercise in Matuga Sub-County, Kwale, as part of the Jukwaa la Usalama Nationwide Tour, Coast Region Chapter, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen hailed the introduction of live capture biometric systems as a game-changer

    “This has drastically improved efficiency, reduced unnecessary rejection rates and restored hope, particularly among the youth.”

    He said, adding that “We are witnessing a transformation. Technology is not only improving efficiency, it’s restoring dignity and opportunity, especially for our youth.”

    Under the new system, biometric data, such as fingerprints and photographs, is captured digitally at the registration point and transmitted instantly to Nairobi’s central processing centre.

    Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani look on as a Kwale resident receives her waiting card at a mobile registration center.

    There, the data is verified and processed, allowing applicants to receive their national ID faster.

    Over 300 live capture units have already been deployed across the country, with plans to expand to all sub-counties by June 2025.

    Beyond administrative gains, the accelerated issuance of Identity Cards is being positioned as a critical tool in crime prevention and economic empowerment.

    Murkomen emphasised that access to legal identification documents enables youth to enrol in higher education, join vocational training institutions, apply for jobs and access government services, ultimately reducing their vulnerability to crime, drug abuse, and radicalisation.

    “The security of a country improves when young people have opportunities. An Identity Card is not just a document; it is a gateway to the future,” said the Cabinet Secretary.

    He reiterated, “everyone has a right to an ID. First-time ID registration is now free. The new third-generation IDs include a digital chip for enhanced security. With these cards, your information can be instantly verified. They are secure and tamper-proof.”

    During a spot check at the Kilifi County Huduma Centre, queues had grown longer as more youth sought to take advantage of the faster turnaround.

    “The process now takes about 10 minutes per person,” said Kilifi County, Huduma Centre registrar,  Christine Barongo.

    Huduma Centre Registrar Christine Barongo (in black) during the registration process in Kilifi County.

    She outlined the streamlined steps: “Once a youth turns 18, they present an introductory letter from the Chief along with a birth certificate or other age-verifying document, and one parent’s ID or a death certificate or a Chief’s letter if the parent is deceased. Biometric data is then captured swiftly.”

    Barongo added that the expedited issuance has significantly eased the process for young people to apply for jobs, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans, and college placements.

  • Gov’t restores ID Card issuance, 476,000 remain uncollected

    Gov’t restores ID Card issuance, 476,000 remain uncollected

    Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services, Julius Bitok, has reassured the public that the Government is making significant progress in clearing the backlog of National ID card applications.

    Through a statement, Bitok stated that recent legal hurdles had temporarily affected the issuance of third-generation National ID cards, also known as Maisha Cards.

    He noted that the High Court had issued a conservatory order on July 25, 2024, halting the issuance of these cards.

    However, following a government appeal, the court lifted the order on August 12, 2024, allowing the National Registration Bureau (NRB) to resume production.

    By the time the court order was lifted, Bitok revealed, 451,228 applications had already been received by the NRB.

    These included 130,302 new ID requests and 320,926 applications for duplicate cards.

    He added that in the two weeks following the court’s decision, an additional 108,697 applications were submitted to the NRB production centre, leading to a surge in demand.

    “In the past two weeks, we have made significant strides in clearing the backlog. A total of 505,197 National ID cards have been printed, with 162,856 of those being new cards and 344,341 duplicates,” Bitok confirmed.

    He added that only 1,358 applications remain in the processing queue, emphasizing that the NRB has ramped up its capacity to produce 32,000 ID cards per day.

    Additionally, more personnel have been deployed, and a 24-hour service has been introduced to expedite the process.

    However, despite these efforts, Bitok expressed concern over the large number of uncollected ID cards.

    “As of August 26, 2024, 476,167 printed National ID cards are lying unclaimed at registration offices and Huduma Centres across the country. We are urging all applicants to collect their cards promptly,” he said.

    He singled out Nairobi County as having the highest number of uncollected cards, with 55,327 still awaiting collection, followed by Kiambu (37,708), Nakuru (28,581), Kisumu (18,529), Mombasa (17,140), Kisii (15,842), Muranga (13,627), Uasin Gishu (13,155), Kajiado (12,533) and Bungoma (12,053).

    Bitok also encouraged those seeking updates on their ID applications to utilize the toll-free line or reach out through social media platforms provided by the NRB.

    “Toll-free Line: 08000230007, X: Sajili_ID Ke, Facebook: NRB Kitambulisho, Instagram: National Registration Bureau.”

    “The National ID card is a constitutional right and an essential document for every citizen. The Government is committed to ensuring that all eligible applicants receive their cards in a timely manner,” Bitok concluded, assuring the public that the department is working diligently to process all outstanding requests and streamline the issuance process.