In a recent session before the National Assembly vetting Committee, Kithure Kindiki provided insights into the reasoning behind the 10-year expiration period for national identification cards, Huduma Cards, and Maisha Nambas in Kenya.
The crux of this policy revolves around technological advancements and the need for periodic updates to ensure security and functionality.
Kindiki emphasized that the third-generation IDs are not just traditional identification cards but “technology cards.”
Technological Considerations and Future Plans
In a statement, Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok provided additional details about the Maisha Cards, which feature a machine-readable microchip containing essential security features and personal information.
This expiration period is not tied to electoral cycles but is a technical necessity due to the microchip’s finite lifespan.
Bitok assured the public that renewing Maisha Cards will not require fresh biometric data, although new passport-sized photos will be taken to account for changes in facial features over time.
He further announced that the government has acquired a modern printer to increase the daily printing capacity to 30,000 cards, significantly above the average demand of 10,000 applications.