Kenya’s Civil Society has voiced strong reservations regarding the issuance of new National Identity Cards in the country. During a press briefing on Sunday, lobby groups expressed outright dismissal of the newly introduced Maisha number for Kenyan adults under the updated identification system.
The CSOs raised concerns about the supposed expiry date attached to the Maisha number, citing it as a critical issue, especially concerning voting rights. They emphasized the need for clarity and transparency from the government, suggesting that the inclusion of an expiry date could potentially be exploited for electoral manipulation in the 2027 elections.
Demanding immediate answers from the authorities, the civil society groups asserted that the new IDs are purportedly set to expire in 2032, coinciding with the potential end of President William Ruto’s term if re-elected in 2027. However, Citizen Digital reported having seen a new ID card with an expiry date of 2034, contradicting the CSOs’ claims.
Furthermore, the CSOs called upon President William Ruto to take action, urging him to secure the release of abducted individuals, drop charges against those facing legal proceedings, and cease the profiling of young people. They also highlighted concerns about media freedom, condemning incidents such as the abduction of Macharia Gaitho and the treatment of Francis Gaitho.
The CSOs emphasized the importance of safeguarding civil liberties and ensuring transparency in government actions, particularly in matters concerning national identity and electoral integrity.