Government Speeds Up Issuance of Maisha Cards for KCSE Candidates.
The government has announced that Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates will receive their third-generation Maisha cards earlier than anticipated.
This initiative aims to provide students transitioning out of high school with these IDs before the national exams conclude, as stated by Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Citizen Services.
The decision was made as 965,501 registered KCSE candidates began their exams on Tuesday, October 22.
The early distribution of Maisha cards is intended to facilitate easier registration for tertiary education and access to services such as the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and scholarships.
Challenges Faced in Issuing Maisha Cards
Since February 2024, the government has accelerated efforts to distribute Maisha cards despite several challenges.
One major obstacle was a court order that previously prohibited the Ministry of Interior and National Administration from issuing new ID cards.
This order was lifted by the High Court in February 2024, allowing the process to continue.
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Previously, students had to travel to specific locations to apply for national IDs. The process was time-consuming, often requiring weeks before the IDs were ready.
Additionally, individuals needed to physically check the status of their applications, which led to many forgetting about their IDs.
In August 2024, the National Registration Bureau (NRB) highlighted this issue, reporting that over 400,000 national IDs were uncollected.
Addressing Concerns About the New IDs
Another challenge the government faced was skepticism from the public, as Kenyans raised concerns about the new-generation IDs.
Citizens questioned why the Maisha cards were set to expire after ten years.
Bitok addressed this concern, explaining that the renewal process is essential for updating personal information, such as biometrics and facial changes.
The government is confident that the Maisha cards will align Kenya with regional and international standards for ID features.
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The cards, which include digital features, are also designed to prevent forgery or tampering, a critical reason for their rapid adoption.
By fast-tracking the issuance of these IDs, the government hopes to ensure smoother access to essential services for students and other citizens.
Government Speeds Up Issuance of Maisha Cards for KCSE Candidates.
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