Kenya’s government has allocated 15.13 billion Shillings (approximately $117 million) for the rollout of the Maisha Namba Digital ID project and other digital government initiatives for the 2024/2025 fiscal year. The information was disclosed by Kenya’s Ministry of Interior.
The budget aims to enhance the digitization of citizen services, making them more accessible and reducing wait times. The Ministry’s plan includes significant investments in population management and migration services.
For population management, 6.88 billion Shillings (about $53.3 million) will be used to issue 7.5 million digital and third-generation ID cards, 1.5 million biometric passports, 6.3 million birth certificates, and 2.3 million biometric visas. An additional 7.03 billion Shillings (around $54.4 million) will be directed towards migration and citizen services.
Another 1.22 billion Shillings (approximately $9.4 million) has been allocated for general administration and planning. The comprehensive financial commitment underscores Kenya’s dedication to modernizing its digital infrastructure and improving the efficiency of government services through advanced biometric and digital technologies.
Last month, Kenya’s Immigration and Citizen Services Cabinet Secretary, Julius Bitok, emphasized the government’s commitment to data security during the rollout of the Maisha Namba program. Assuring compliance with legal frameworks and collaboration with the Office of Data Commissioners for data impact assessments, Bitok highlighted mechanisms to ensure a smooth transition from old IDs to the new third-generation digital IDs without discrimination.
Source: Tech Labari
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June 18, 2024 — by Ali Nassar-Smith
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