A government source has revealed that the government is yet to introduce expiry dates on IDs through installation of microchips.
According to reports, the microchips installation is to ensure that the current IDs meet the International standard requirements. This will ensure track of expiry dates to ensure renewal.
Talking to NewsProjector, a source from the Interior Ministry revealed that the government intends to put expiry date ls on IDs to be ten years which will be then renewed to be liable for use in the country.
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This comes after the High Court declared the issuance of Maisha Number as Unconstitutional. However, the source confirmed that the microchips installation has nothing to do with maisha number and its a different entity from the Maisha Number.
“We respect the decision of the court but we had already configured our systems to accommodate the microchip. It has nothing to do with Maisha Namba and collection of money as people speculate online.”
According to reports, the new identity cards with microchips will work as an ATM card and will use the same logic to ensure renewal of holders after ten years
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“A chip operates for a certain duration. For instance, an ATM card has a chip that lasts on average five years. So in this case, the microchip will last for 10 years. It’s the same logic for everything that requires a microchip.”
It was also noted that the introduction of microchip technology on Identity Cards is a global practice that will go a long way in ensuring security in safeguarding biometric data.
However, it’s not clear whether kenyans currently holding the current IDs will have to apply for new ones or the programme will start with the new ID card applicants.