NAIROBI, Kenya – Interior Cabinet Secretary nominee Prof Kithure Kindiki has shed light on the rationale behind the 10-year expiration period for national identification cards, Huduma Cards, and Maisha Nambas.
According to Kindiki, the rapid pace of technological advancements necessitates the periodic renewal of these documents.
He explained that the third-generation national ID cards are embedded with technology chips that become outdated over time.
“Technology keeps evolving, and with it, so do the security threats. This is why we have a 10-year period for these IDs, similar to the expiration period for passports,” he said during his vetting by the National Assembly Committee on Appointments.
The Ministry is currently facing delays in issuing IDs, which Kindiki attributed to several court orders.
“From November 2023 to March 2024, a court injunction halted ID issuance, creating a backlog of nearly 600,000 cards. We’ve managed to reduce this significantly, but a recent injunction two days ago has once again stalled our progress. We aim to resolve this by Friday,” he stated.
In a related statement, Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok emphasized that the expiration dates of Maisha Cards are not linked to the general election date.
Bitok explained that the cards feature a machine-readable microchip containing vital security features and personal details.
“Like other documents such as ATM cards, the microchip has a shelf life of up to 10 years from the date of issuance,” he said.
Bitok pointed out that the renewal of national ID cards every ten years aligns with practices in other countries like Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Senegal, and France, all of which use microchip-enabled IDs.
He reassured citizens that renewing expired Maisha Cards does not require new biometric captures, although new passport-sized photos will be needed due to potential changes in facial features over the decade.
To expedite the issuance process, the government has acquired a modern printer capable of producing up to 30,000 cards daily, far exceeding the average demand of 10,000 applications.
“The National Registration Bureau recognizes the National ID Card as a constitutional right and an essential identification document. We are committed to ensuring all eligible Kenyans receive their IDs promptly,” Bitok affirmed.
