Kenya is set to launch a new Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) to replace traditional forms of documentation and registration, according to Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok.
The UPI will serve as a co-purpose document for newborns, a death certificate number and will be adopted by national registration bodies such as census, identity cards, the Kenya Revenue Authority, and health insurance providers. The UPI will be used for everything that a citizen will need, including student numbers, KRA numbers, and NHIF and NSSF numbers.
The UPI will also negate the need for vetting of communities living close to international boundaries as a prerequisite to issuing them with IDs, passports, and other identification documents.
