[ez-toc]Kenya and the United Nations Development Programme have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote the nation’s new digital identification programme.
The “Maisha Namba” Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) that the Kenyan government has offered will take the place of the scrapped Huduma Namba. The Swahili word “maisha” translates to “life” in English, whereas “huduma” in Huduma Namba means “services.”
The presentation of Maisha Namba and a digital ID will now take place on October 2, 2023.
According to a representative of the immigration service, “Maisha Namba will be a number that will replace the current birth entry number that is currently issued with birth certificates.” The identification reference number for all next phases, including school, national ID, and KRA pin, will be Maisha Namba.
Under the new system, a “Maisha Card” will be given out, and a National Master Population Register will be created to combine government information. Principal Secretary of Immigration and Citizen Services Julius Bitok noted this as one of the main lessons learned during a trip to NADRA in Pakistan.
According to Bitok in a tweet, “The digital identity system will give Kenyans a secure and trustworthy way to verify their identity for a variety of purposes, including accessing gov’t services, opening bank accounts, and travelling.” It will also increase efficiency and aid in lessening fraud and corruption.
Kenyans will be able to do online business with service providers from across the world, according to Bitok, thanks to the digital ID. According to Pulselive Kenya, the National Health Insurance Fund and the Kenya Revenue Authority will also adopt the Maisha Namba.
Anthony Ngororano, the resident representative for UNDP in Kenya, commended the government of Kenya for its interaction with non-governmental organisations and stated that UNDP would ensure “a whole of society approach” to the implementation of the national digital ID.
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Understanding Digital Identity
Digital identification is more than simply an ID card; it’s a digital file that describes a person’s identity together with special identifiers or traits. In any transaction or conversation, whether online or in person, it is used to demonstrate the legitimacy and identification of the person involved.
When a digital identity can be employed, for instance, when a bank or online shop is delivering a goods, and the recipient’s identification must be established before the product can be delivered. Also, when someone must demonstrate their age in order to use a service or product that has an age limitation without displaying a tangible document like a passport or driver’s licence. When people are required to provide identification without a passport or another kind of identification in order to get governmental help or support.
Unique identifiers make up a country’s digital identity. Countries utilise components such as a speech (audio) sample, textual data including name and birthdate, to identify their citizens digitally. Blood samples, iris scans, fingerprints, and hair samples are examples of biometric information.
For every nation, a separate set of components must be assembled in order to produce a national digital identity. The need for certain components to confirm a person’s identification must be determined by national leaders and policymakers, who must also put the governance norms for this data into place.
Benefits for People and Businesses
Leaders of nations are interested in putting in place digital identification programmes as people all around the world adjust to the digital economy.
From the perspectives of users and private-sector businesses, the advantages of a government-imposed national digital identification system are numerous and may be divided into categories.
The potential benefits for users are numerous and include access to several public services is hampered by identity hurdles. The user can utilise such services without being physically present by using a digital identity. Any charges the user incurs to use certain services are also decreased.
Users may create bank accounts, receive social security benefits, or get a mobile Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card with the use of a digital identity.
Digital identity will improve security as it is an effective instrument for police and criminal prosecution since it guarantees identity proofing, which aids law enforcement in preventing crimes like tax fraud and identity theft.
Privacy is a huge concern for cyber users, so with digital IDs, people may decide how much information they divulge to a company in order to authenticate their identity and guarantee purpose restriction. Personal data is under the control of the individual.
As the notion of a digital national identity gains popularity at a quicker rate, businesses have more chances to boost revenue by attracting new clients, which can enhance employment possibilities and tax collections, which support a nation’s economy.
Costs associated with providing services are reduced because a national digital identity system requires less paperwork, labour, and time to complete document validation.