New IDs to cost taxpayers Sh8bn

Up to Sh8 billion will be spent to register Kenyans afresh as part of a government drive to create an online database of all citizens.

Digital identification details would be obtained on all Kenyans above the age of 12 and stored in the database that can be retrieved by public institutions.

Citizens will be required to provide details of their current identification cards, the date and area of birth, fingerprints and photos.

Information Communication and Technology Principal Secretary Joseph Tiampati said money to fund the project will be set aside in the next budget to be read in June.

The estimates will be tabled in Parliament in two months. Digitalisation will start in June and is expected to be complete in six months.

“We have a big identification gap especially for Kenyans below the age of 18. What we are seeking to do is build a database that can give you full information about a person including where they live, what they own and what services they have access to,” Mr Tiampati said.

He was speaking on Tuesday during the launch of the ongoing Connected Kenya Summit in Diani, Kwale County.

During the event, a revised ICT master plan that integrates the national government’s ICT strategy with that of counties was launched. The government expects the project to help it plan better and curb rising insecurity.  

An inter-ministerial committee spearheaded by the Interior Ministry has been put in place to oversee implementation of the plan.

“We are working closely with these ministries to ensure we deliver the project within the budget,” Mr Tiampati told the meeting.

Information Communication and Technology Authority chief executive Victor Kyalo said the project was part of a bigger plan to digitise all government functions.

“It will make it easier for citizens to register a company, replace lost documents or access services in public amenities such as hospitals where the information is required,” Mr Kyalo said.

The digital registry will be linked with other registries including that of land.

This means that with just a click of a computer key, the government will be able to identify a citizen, reveal where he lives, what he owns, his relatives and the services accessible to them.

On the other hand, it will also help identify foreigners who may have corruptly acquired identification documents.

Kenya has been the victim of terror attacks in the past few years believed to be carried out by terror groups from Somalia. 

“We intend to consolidate all registers into a single one with accurate information,” said Deputy President William Ruto on Monday when he also announced the plan to launch the nationwide registration.