Battle Heats Up to Select Contractor for Kenya’s New Digital ID Scheme
Kenya’s new digital ID scheme is set to become a reality in the next 90 days, according to Kenyan President William Ruto. As the deadline approaches, there is intense competition between the Interior and ICT Ministries to secure the responsibility for choosing the contractor for the project. The battle reflects the desire of each ministry to assert its political influence over the other.
President Ruto recently launched a digital government program aimed at increasing access to over 5,000 services. The new digital ID scheme is an integral part of this initiative. President Ruto directed the Interior and ICT Ministers to take appropriate measures within their spheres of competence to ensure the successful implementation of the plan.
Despite the directive, a call for tenders for the digital ID project is yet to be made, leaving the timeline for selection uncertain. However, there are already discussions around potential service providers. The deputy head of the Interior Ministry, Julius Bitok, is reportedly in favor of hiring a Pakistani service provider. On the other hand, ICT Minister Eliud Owalo is said to prefer a European firm. There is also speculation about the possibility of an Indian provider.
Interestingly, an Indian delegation, led by Julius Bitok, recently visited Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to gain insights into their digital ID project implementation. NADRA officials expressed interest in supporting Kenya in setting up and managing its digital ID project.
Another development related to Kenya’s digital transformation is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) decision to translate a 156-page comic strip publication on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) into Kiswahili. Kiswahili is one of the widely spoken languages in Kenya. UNESCO aims to promote language diversity and ensure that native speakers have a better understanding of complex technology terms. The translation, titled ‘Inside AI- an algorithm venture,’ aims to bridge the gap in understanding AI among Kiswahili speakers.
UNESCO has also highlighted the lack of proper understanding of the ethics and human rights dimensions of Kenya’s failed Huduma Namba project. The organization believes that a lack of comprehension regarding digital rights and the evolving digital landscape hindered local support for the project.
The recent developments in Kenya’s digital transformation highlight the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve access to services and promote overall digital literacy. As the battle between the Interior and ICT Ministries intensifies, it remains to be seen which contractor will be chosen to spearhead the crucial digital ID scheme.
