The Kenyan government has made an urgent appeal to its citizens to collect over 476,000 unclaimed third-generation National Identification cards, commonly known as Maisha ID cards. The cards are currently held at various Nairobi Registration offices and Huduma Centres throughout the country. The announcement was made by Interior Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, who highlighted the significance of this issue and the government’s commitment to ensuring all eligible applicants receive their ID cards promptly.
High Number of Uncollected ID Cards
According to the latest data, a total of 476,167 Maisha ID cards remain uncollected, with Nairobi leading the pack with 55,327 unclaimed cards. This is followed by Kiambu County with 37,708 and Nakuru County with 28,581. Other counties also reported high numbers of uncollected IDs, including Kisumu (18,529), Mombasa (17,140), Kisii (15,842), Murang’a (13,627), Uasin Gishu (13,155), Kajiado (12,533), and Bungoma (12,053).
PS Julius Bitok urged all applicants who have yet to collect their ID cards to visit the registration centers where they initially submitted their applications as soon as possible. “We urge applicants who are yet to collect their cards to visit the station where they submitted their application as soon as possible,” said PS Bitok. “The NRB fully appreciates the importance of the National ID Card as a Constitutional right and an essential identification document and will strive to ensure all eligible applicants obtain it as promptly as possible.”
Importance of the Maisha ID Card
The Maisha ID card is a third-generation identification document that is replacing the second-generation ID cards. A key feature of the Maisha ID is its unique personal identification number, which is assigned to an individual upon registration. This number becomes their lifelong Personal Identification Number (PIN), which will be used to access a range of government services, such as those provided by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), and the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS).
The Maisha ID card is designed to streamline and simplify access to essential services throughout an individual’s lifetime. It will serve as the primary means of identification for all citizens and is critical for conducting various personal and business transactions. With the government’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives, having the Maisha ID card will enable citizens to seamlessly interact with multiple government systems and services.
Measures to Facilitate Collection
To facilitate the process of collecting these unclaimed ID cards, the government has provided multiple channels for applicants to confirm the status of their documents. PS Bitok emphasized that applicants can use several communication options to check whether their IDs are ready for collection. They can call the toll-free line at 0800-023-007, or use social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) under the handle Sajili_IDKe, Facebook (NRB Kitambulisho), and Instagram (National Registration Bureau).
The appeal to collect the unclaimed IDs follows a High Court ruling that set aside the conservatory orders, which had temporarily barred the government from issuing the new generation ID cards. This ruling has enabled the government to continue its efforts to distribute the Maisha cards to eligible citizens.
Urgent Call to Action
The government’s call to action underscores the importance of having a valid national ID card, not only as a constitutional right but also as a critical document for everyday life. The move aims to ensure that all Kenyans, especially those who applied for the new Maisha cards, have access to this essential identification document to fully participate in national civic duties and access government services.
With the ongoing push to modernize and digitize public services, the Maisha ID card will be at the forefront of this transformation, enabling citizens to access multiple services with a single identification number. This shift marks a significant step toward a more efficient and interconnected service delivery system in Kenya.
Kenyans are therefore urged to make it a priority to collect their Maisha ID cards at the earliest opportunity. The government remains committed to ensuring that all uncollected cards are distributed and that no one is left behind in the national registration process.
