Kenya is set to introduce digital IDs to citizens by the end of the year.

The Kenyan government plans to roll out the digital identification system in December 2023 after a trial period, which will take the next few months. Kenyan President William Ruto's speech at the East African Equipment Assembly in Kenya's Ati River factory on October 30 was reported by local media.

“The digital ID, which has been a big problem for us for a long time, is now in trial mode for the next two months. All stakeholders and concerned ministries have assured me that we will be able to launch digital IDs by December.”

Digital IDs will be introduced in the country with Maisha Namba, which is a system of lifetime personal identification numbers for Kenyan citizens upon registration. The common identification system will digitize the country's records and help citizens get faster access to government, education and medical resources.

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Immigration and Citizenship Services Secretary Julius Bitock explained in August:

“The digital identity system will provide Kenyans with a safe and secure way to verify their identity for a variety of purposes, including accessing government services, opening bank accounts and travelling. […] It also helps to reduce fraud and corruption and improve efficiency.

In September, Bitcoin urged private businesses to adopt digital identity systems, as they “enable innovative solutions such as mobile banking and agent networks, transforming e-commerce processes.” The government has promised to ensure that the design of the digital ID “facilitates trade and eases transactions”.

In June 2023, the Central Bank of Kenya expressed doubts about the need to implement a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBCC) in the short to medium term, citing Kenya's “other innovative solutions that could address pain points around the current ecosystem” in payments.

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