Editor's Review

“We assure all persons with pending applications that we will expeditiously produce IDs on a first-in-first-out basis beginning immediately." 

The State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services has announced the immediate resumption of the Issuance of Maisha Cards after the High Court lifted an injunction that blocked the rollout of the new generation IDs.

In a statement sent to the newsrooms on Friday, February 23, Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok welcomed the High Court’s decision saying it is a reprieve to over 600,000 Kenyans whose applications for new and duplicate ID cards could not be processed.

“We assure all persons with pending applications that we will expeditiously produce IDs on a first-in-first-out basis beginning immediately,” read the statement in part.

PS Bitok also committed to continue implementing reforms to the Kenya National Identity ecosystem in a manner that respects the Constitution and the rights and interests of all citizens and clients of Government services.

File image of Immigartion PS Julius Bitok. 

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“We pledge to sustain our engagements with all stakeholders for meaningful input in the implementation of the Kenya National Digital Identity ecosystem,” the Immigration PS added.

The High Court had in December 2023, suspended the issuance of Maisha cards after Katiba Institute challenged the legal basis of implementing it.

Justice John Chigiti set aside the orders on Friday after the Ministry of Interior’s lawyers told the court that the matter had been filed in two different courts and there was a risk of the courts making conflicting decisions.

However, Justice Chigiti ordered the petition to be transferred to the High Court's constitutional division for hearing and determination.