The government is set to roll out a new digital Maisha Card that will allow Kenyans to carry their national identification details on their mobile phones as part of sweeping reforms aimed at fully digitising critical government services.

Speaking on Saturday, June 27, 2026, during a public event in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the upcoming Maisha Card will function as a digital national ID, allowing citizens to verify identity electronically through a barcode system accessible directly on smartphones.

Murkomen said the move forms part of broader reforms within the Interior Ministry to modernise service delivery and reduce reliance on physical government documents.

“Hivi karibuni tutawatangazia Maisha Card ambayo itakuwa kama digital ID… utakuwa na ID yako kwa simu, kuna ile barcode ukionesha hivi inaonesha wewe ni nani na unafanya nini,” Murkomen said.

Birth certificate services shifting online

The Interior CS further announced that birth certificate applications will soon be fully migrated to the government’s eCitizen platform, allowing Kenyans to apply digitally without physically visiting government offices.

He said the reforms are aimed at eliminating fraud and making civil registration services more efficient across the country.

“Tunapeleka birth certificate iwe digital. Kila mtu atakuwa anaapply birth certificate ndani ya E-Citizen… kwa wizara ya usalama tunapeana birth certificate na death certificate na hakutakuwa na fake birth certificate,” he stated.

Murkomen added that the digital ID system will also help citizens quickly replace lost identification documents since identity details will remain accessible electronically.

“Hata ID ikipotea, ukitoa yenye iko kwa simu unaonyesha barcode… tunaendelea kufanya reforms because we want digital services,” he added.

Govt expands digital transformation drive

The latest announcement comes days after the government officially launched a system allowing Kenyans to download and print birth certificates online through the eCitizen platform, eliminating repeated visits to registration offices.

Earlier this month, the government said the reforms were part of a larger strategy to improve accessibility and make public service delivery faster and more transparent.

At the same time, concerns have emerged over digital inclusion after lawmakers questioned whether the rapid transition to online services could leave behind rural communities and citizens with limited internet access.

Recent parliamentary discussions revealed that more than 22,000 government services have already been integrated into digital platforms as Kenya accelerates its transition toward a paperless public service system.

“We want to bring digital services because Kenya is a highly digital coverage country,” Murkomen said.