Principal Secretary Julius Bitok of Immigration and Citizenship Services has announced that Kenyans will need to renew their National ID Cards every 10 years.
In a statement released on Monday, Bitok explained that the renewal requirement is due to the introduction of the Maisha Ecosystem. He noted that, similar to other documents like ATM cards, the microchip in the ID has a maximum lifespan of 10 years from issuance.
He clarified that the expiration of the ID is not linked to the timing of general elections. This practice is also followed in countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Senegal, and France, which use microchipped IDs.
Those renewing their expired National ID cards will not need to provide new biometric data but will have to update their passport-sized photos to reflect any changes in their appearance.
The National Registration Bureau has issued 972,630 Maisha cards, including 531,329 new applications and 441,301 duplicates.
Bitok also mentioned that the National Registration Bureau has upgraded to a modern printer, increasing its printing capacity to 30,000 National ID cards daily, compared to an average demand of 10,000 applicants.
He emphasized the importance of the National ID Card as both a constitutional right and a critical identification tool, and assured that the Bureau is committed to ensuring all eligible Kenyans receive their IDs promptly.
Bitok further noted that the Maisha Card’s introduction followed 820 consultations with various stakeholders, including civil society, religious leaders, the private sector, the media, and the public.
He highlighted that the Maisha Ecosystem aligns with regional and international standards for personal registration documents and features enhanced security measures to prevent forgery and tampering.
Despite initial concerns from civil society about the Maisha Card’s legality, Bitok assured that it meets International Civil Aviation Organization standards for cross-border identification and integrates multiple databases into a single national register, eliminating the need for separate personal registration records.