US Politician Robert F. Kennedy Speaks Out Against Maisha Namba: ‘We Are Cattle Lined Up at the Abattoir
American politician Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently withdrew from the US presidential race, has continued to voice his staunch opposition to the widespread adoption of digital identity systems, cautioning against the privacy risks these initiatives may entail.
His latest critique came on Tuesday in response to a social media post discussing Kenya’s rollout of the Maisha Namba, a digital identification system designed to streamline access to government services.
Kennedy, known for his controversial takes, did not mince words as he reiterated his longstanding concerns. “It still seemed outlandish and frightening back then. Now everything has been normalized. We are cattle lined up at the abattoir,” he stated, referencing how he was branded a conspiracy theorist by mainstream media when he first raised alarms about digital ID plans back in 2020.
Kennedy’s comments come just after he endorsed former President Donald Trump’s re-election bid, marking a significant shift in his political stance.
Kennedy, the son of former US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of assassinated President John F. Kennedy, has always been forthright in his analysis of global issues.
He appeared particularly skeptical about the involvement of American donors in promoting digital IDs worldwide, insinuating that these efforts could have ulterior motives beyond public interest.
In the US media clip shared on X (formerly Twitter), Kenyan President William Ruto defended the Maisha Namba rollout, emphasizing its benefits. “Those with the Digital ID won’t have to move around with physical cards,” Ruto stated, contrasting it with the earlier Huduma Namba project, which faced significant criticism.
The Maisha Namba, a unique identifier issued at birth, is designed to serve as a single number for accessing government services throughout a person’s life. It links personal information such as ID and phone numbers, facilitating easier access to these services. Immigration PS Julius Bitok elaborated on its lifecycle, stating, “It has an expiry date… it will transition to become the user’s death certificate number when they pass on.”
However, just as Kennedy and other critics argue that the rollout of digital identity systems poses serious privacy risks, many Kenyans share similar concerns. The rollout of Maisha Namba faced a significant setback on December 5, 2023, when the High Court issued orders halting its implementation.
However, these orders were overturned in August 2024, following a successful government appeal. The government has since clarified that participation in the Maisha Namba program will be voluntary, and public sensitization efforts are ongoing.
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US Politician Robert F. Kennedy Speaks Out Against Maisha Namba: ‘We Are Cattle Lined Up at the Abattoir
