The Kenyan government plans to roll out its digital identification system in December 2023, following the testing period, which will last over the coming months. According to Kenya’s President William Ruto, whose speech at the East Africa Device Assembly Kenya factory in Athi River on October 30 was quoted by local media:
“The digital ID, which has been a big problem for us for a long time, is now in test mode for the next two months. All stakeholders and concerned ministries have assured me that we will be able to launch digital IDs in December.”
Digital IDs will be introduced in the country along with Maisha Namba, a system of lifelong personal identification numbers assigned to Kenyan citizens upon registration. The joint ID system will help the country digitize its registries and give citizens faster access to state, educational and medical resources.
Related: Kenya sets up parliamentary committee to investigate Worldcoin
As Immigration and Citizen Services Chief Secretary Julius Bitok explained in August:
“The digital identity system will provide Kenyans with a secure and reliable way to verify their identity for various purposes including accessing government services, opening bank accounts and travel […] It will also help reduce fraud and corruption and improve efficiency.”
In September, Bitok urged private companies to embrace digital ID systems as they “enable innovative solutions such as mobile banking and agent networks, transforming e-commerce processes.” He promised that the government will ensure that the design of the digital ID will “facilitate trade and facilitate business transactions.”
In June 2023, the Central Bank of Kenya expressed doubts about the need to implement the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in the short to medium term, citing “other innovative solutions around the existing ecosystem” that address “pain points ” of Kenya could tackle. for payment.
Magazine: The Truth Behind Cuba’s Bitcoin Revolution: An On-Site Report
