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A civil society group will today petition the High Court to quash the rollout of Unique Personal Identifiers (UPI) by the government.

The group terms the project as a scandal waiting to happen adding that the UPI is seeking to do what the Huduma Namba already did.

Noting that the country is grappling with a high cost of living, Operation Linda Ugatuzi group said it makes no sense for the government to waste taxpayers’ money on a new digital ID project when the Huduma Namba exists.

The group noted that the proposed UPI is similar to Huduma Namba introduced by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration and the only noticeable difference was the name.

“After vehemently opposing the Huduma Namba initiative by his predecessor, President Ruto’s government now wants to roll out a similar digital identity project. However, we must ask questions – what is the difference between this new project and the Huduma Namba? Why is this government hell-bent on wasting money on a white elephant project during these tough economic times?” Linda Ugatuzi questioned.

Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announced last month that the introduction of the UPI smart card was in line with the digitization of government services where newborns will get a distinct lifetime registration number.

 “What is the difference between the Unique Personal Identifiers and the Huduma Namba? This new initiative bears an uncanny resemblance to the Huduma Namba project that former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government undertook. The only noticeable difference between the original Huduma Namba and the new project is the name,” Operation Linda Ugatuzi chairman Fred Ogola said.