Willis Otieno questions expiry of IDs in new system
By Paulette Mboga, September 8, 2025Lawyer and political analyst Willis Otieno has raised concerns over the government’s decision to introduce expiry dates on the new generation identification cards, commonly known as Maisha Number Cards.
Otieno questioned why Kenyans should be compelled to pay for replacements and why an identification card, which traditionally lasts a lifetime, should suddenly have a shelf life.
“Bring back the normal IDs. Why should one pay Ksh1,000 for an ID replacement? Why should IDs expire?” he posed in a statement on X on Monday, September 8, 2025, echoing the frustrations of many citizens who see the new policy as an unnecessary financial burden.
It is worth noting that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had earlier reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring all Kenyans can access national identification cards
The rollout of the new IDs has stirred public debate, with civil society groups and ordinary Kenyans expressing scepticism over the rationale behind expiring identification documents.
Government defends expiry policy
In response to the growing criticism, the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services earlier explained the reasons behind the expiry feature. According to a statement issued on July 22, 2024, the new IDs feature an embedded microchip with a limited lifespan.
The technology, the government explained, can only last up to ten years, after which the card must be replaced to maintain functionality and security standards.
The then Immigration and Citizenship Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok elaborated further, stating that the policy aligns Kenya with global best practices. Countries such as France and several others across Africa already require citizens to renew microchip-based IDs every decade.
“The microchip, like other electronic devices, has a maximum shelf life of 10 years. This means that beyond that period, it becomes prone to malfunction and cannot guarantee the integrity of the identification system,” Bitok explained in 2024.
He reassured Kenyans that renewal would not involve fresh biometric registration, as the system would retain existing data. Only the physical card itself would be replaced.
Despite the explanation, critics like Otieno insist the move could unfairly burden low-income Kenyans, especially if replacement fees remain high. Civil rights groups have also argued that, unlike ATM cards or driver’s licenses, a National ID is a fundamental identity document and should not be treated as a commercial product.