ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has announced a significant change in the government's approach to the digital identity card, previously known as Huduma Number, stating that Kenyans will not be forced to obtain it, departing from the directives of the previous regime.

Originally, the identity card was intended to replace the existing ones, which the government deemed outdated. However, in a bid to promote voluntary compliance, the state has now decided to let individuals choose whether they wish to acquire the new digital identity cards or not. Owalo emphasized that it is not the government's role to compel people to register; instead, the decision should be left to the citizens.

This move comes in response to concerns raised by some Kenyans, who argued that a new card could simply be issued with the same old identification numbers, rendering the system overhaul unnecessary.

"We will not force any Kenyan to take a digital identity. The onus will be on you to decide whether you want to access government services through the digital identity system based on your biodata or prefer to physically visit government offices," stated Owalo.

According to him, the government requires virtual means to confirm individuals' identities accurately. However, the final choice to adopt the digital identification or stick with the old system will be left entirely to the people.

Initially, the government had planned to phase out the current generation of identity cards and introduce a new one that would consolidate all government-issued documents, including birth certificates, NHIF numbers, NSSF numbers, among others.

"The government is contemplating the implementation of a civil registration and vital statistics system that aligns with the demands of the new digital era," explained Owalo.

However, the programme encountered numerous glitches, leading to former President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration shelving the plan after significant taxpayer money had been spent. The Kenya Kwanza government revived the plans in early 2023, but specific guidelines for the rollout have not been provided yet.

As of now, the ministry has not indicated whether the data collected during the previous mass registration exercise will be used to process the new digital identity cards.

"The new system must be capable of assigning unique personal identification numbers at birth to all individuals born in Kenya," Owalo emphasized.