In a press address on Sunday, Kenyan Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have expressed grave concerns over the newly issued National Identity cards, asserting that the Maisha number, the new identification model for Kenyan adults, is a ploy to manipulate the 2027 elections. The lobby groups have dismissed the Maisha number system, which incorporates expiry dates, raising suspicions about its impact on the electoral process.
The CSOs emphasized the critical role of IDs in voting, demanding transparency and explanations from the government. “What has been christened as the Maisha number has an expiry date. IDs are crucial for voting, and we want an explanation. It raises a lot of suspicion and one can see it as a scheme to rig elections in 2027,” the CSOs stated.
The CSOs claimed that the new IDs are set to expire in 2032, coinciding with the end of President William Ruto’s term, should he be re-elected in the 2027 polls. However, Citizen Digital has verified that the new ID cards actually expire in 2034, not 2032 as alleged by the CSOs.
Beyond the concerns over the Maisha number, the CSOs are also calling for President William Ruto to address and apologize for instances of police brutality during recent anti-government protests. They demanded the release of those abducted, the dropping of charges against protesters, and an end to the profiling of young people.
“As a show of goodwill, the President should ensure those who have been abducted are released, those facing charges have those charges dropped, and stop profiling young people,” the CSOs demanded. They also highlighted the targeting of media practitioners during the protests, citing the abduction of Macharia Gaitho as an example. “Recognize media practitioners who have become targets. We witnessed the abduction of Macharia Gaitho. Even Francis Gaitho did not deserve the treatment Macharia Gaitho went through,” they added.
The CSOs have been embroiled in controversy amid the protests, particularly after President Ruto accused them of funding the demonstrations. Ruto specifically accused the American organization Ford Foundation of sponsoring the protests, an allegation that the group has vehemently denied.
The Civil Society’s concerns and demands underscore the rising tensions and mistrust surrounding the new ID system and the government’s handling of dissent, setting the stage for potential political and social upheaval as the 2027 elections approach.
