Kenya MPs postpone vote on ‘all-in-one’ ID policy

By Standard Reporter

NAIROBI; KENYA: The National Assembly postponed a vote on a resolution calling on the national government to set up a central database that captures all bio data.

The motion by Charles Nyamai (Kitui Rural) seeks to have all identification documents such as identity cards, driving licenses and KRA personal identification numbers compressed into a single document.

The document will also be used when making contributions to the National Social Security Fund and the National Hospital Insurance Fund.

The MPs said such a system, will be available in all government offices, so that the sharing of information among government agencies is done in real time.

They were unanimous in their debate and backed the motion.

“I am pleased we have not had even one person opposing this motion,” said Nyamai as he wound up the debate.

No cause for worry

The MPs said if the government takes on board the resolution, then, it means the information gaps between the immigration and security agencies would be eliminated, and therefore nail terrorists.

The lawmakers also said by centralising the system, including the data on deaths and births, the government will spend less time and resources carrying out censuses.

Nyamai said the law will have to be amended to ensure it allows for a single identification document.

“We are not trying to centralise the registration of persons in Nairobi. We just want everything to be done right from the village, but that information to be available in a single database,” said Nyamai. They will vote on the issue Wednesday.