Kenyans to Access National IDs on Their Phones as Murkomen Unveils Major Digital Overhaul
Kenyans will soon be able to carry their national identity cards on their mobile phones after the government announced plans to roll out a fully digital version of the Maisha Card, marking a major shift away from relying solely on physical identification documents.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed the ambitious plan while addressing a women empowerment event in Uasin Gishu County on Saturday, June 27, saying the initiative forms part of the government’s wider strategy to digitise public services and improve access to essential documents.
According to Murkomen, the forthcoming digital Maisha Card will allow every Kenyan to store their national ID securely on their phone, making it possible to verify their identity electronically whenever required.
“Very soon we are going to announce to you the Maisha Card, which will be digital. You will have your ID on your phone,” Murkomen said.
The Interior CS explained that the digital ID would prove particularly useful in cases where citizens lose their physical identity cards, as the electronic version would remain accessible through their mobile devices.
“Even if it is lost, you just get the one on your phone and show it. There is a barcode that will be scanned and show who you are and what you do. That is the next step,” he added.
The barcode technology is expected to enable instant identity verification by government agencies and authorised institutions, reducing the need for citizens to carry physical identification documents while improving efficiency in accessing government services.
Although Murkomen described the project as being in its final stages and said it would be launched “very soon,” he stopped short of providing an official rollout date or explaining how Kenyans will register for the new digital ID system.
The announcement is the latest step in the government’s aggressive push to digitise public services under the Maisha ecosystem.
It comes only days after the Ministry of Interior introduced a new system allowing Kenyans to apply for, download and print birth certificates online without visiting government offices.
Under the new process, applicants can log into the eCitizen portal, access Civil Registration Department services, complete the online application, upload supporting documents and pay any required fees electronically.
After verification and approval by government officials, successful applicants can download their birth certificates instantly and print them from home, the office or a nearby cyber café.
The digitisation drive is expected to reduce queues at government offices, speed up service delivery and make official documents more accessible to millions of Kenyans as the government continues expanding digital public services nationwide.
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