In Kenya, the digitization of public services is one of the key focuses of the current government, which launched several projects to establish the required framework.

Kenya will start issuing digital birth and death certificates, as of March 1, 2023, the Ministry of Interior announced last week.

According to Julius Bitok (photo), Kenya's Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizens Services, the launch of the e-service will coincide with the introduction of a unique personal identifier (UPI) that will act as a lifetime ID for newborns. 

The certificates "will be accessed through e-citizen services, and people will be given what we call UPI. When you register, you will automatically receive the number that will become your birth certificate number," said Julius Bitok.

For several years now, getting administrative documents has proven difficult for Kenyans. To end the challenges they face, the government made public service digitalization one of its priorities.

The UPI is one of the results of that commitment. As its name suggests, it is a personal reference detail, similar to an ID card number. It will also serve as the death certificate number.

In addition to being used for birth and death registration, UPI will also serve as a school admission number as well as an index number for national examinations.

Samira Njoya