MPs Reject New Maisha Namba Rules Over Legal Concerns

NAIROBI, Kenya – A parliamentary committee has called for the revocation of regulations anchoring Kenya’s new national identity card, popularly known as the Maisha Namba.

Members of the Delegated Legislation Committee argue that the Registration of Persons (Amendment) rules are riddled with significant legal flaws that cannot be addressed through simple corrections.

The committee, led by Chairperson Samuel Chepkonga, met with Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok to discuss the contentious rules.

During the meeting, MPs criticized the lack of clarity and legal grounding for the Maisha Namba within the proposed regulations.

“On a number of issues that we have raised, which are very substantive, a corrigenda may not be sufficient. You may need to republish and revoke what you have already provided because if we consider it in its current form, it might be very difficult to achieve the intended purpose,” Chepkonga said.

Public Participation in Question

PS Bitok defended the regulations, insisting they were developed after extensive public engagement.

He noted that over 820 public meetings were held across constituencies to gather input on the new ID system.

“This is so important for our national security. This ID is secure and tamper-proof. It’s a very secure card,” Bitok said.

Despite these assurances, the committee remained unconvinced. Members questioned why the term Maisha Namba was barely mentioned in the regulations and raised concerns about the proposed fees for ID-related services.

Sharp Fee Increases Spark Backlash

Under the new rules, applying for a replacement ID or altering details would cost Ksh.1,000—up from previous fees that had been significantly lower or even waived under former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

Additionally, fees for birth and death registration services, previously free, would now cost up to Ksh.1,000 in some cases.

“We are charging Ksh.1,000 for correction of errors because there is a lot of fraud involving document changes. This is a national security issue,” Bitok explained.

However, MPs rejected this justification, arguing that the new charges would burden ordinary Kenyans and lacked adequate consultation.

Legal Foundation Questioned

The Maisha Namba, touted as a secure and uniquely Kenyan identity system, has been criticized for its vague legal framework.

Chepkonga noted that while the initiative is well-intentioned, it requires a stronger legal foundation to align with national laws.

“Maisha card is a very good name; it actually sounds very Kenyan, but where is it in the regulations?” Chepkonga asked, pointing to inconsistencies in the document.