Ruto abolishes ID vetting, to open passport office in Northern Kenya

It is a major relief for Northern Kenya frontier counties after President William Ruto announced that issuance of national identity cards will no longer require extensive vetting previously witnessed.

The President, who made the announcement yesterday, said that all Kenyan children are equal, as stipulated by the Constitution, and no region should face discriminatory practices when applying for the crucial document.

“I want to assure the people that the discrimination witnessed in the region for the last 60 years will come to an end. When a child from Mandera, Wajir or Garissa applies for  an ID and is asked so many questions, this must stop forthwith,” said the President, speaking in Mandera on his first day of the Northern Kenya tour.

The President further stated that he would oversee the removal of the vetting process today, ensuring that all Kenyans can be counted without their background being questioned.

“All Kenyans are equal as the constitution provides, no Kenyan is bigger than the other,” he said.

Ruto also announced that he would reopen a passport office tomorrow (Thursday), which had been previously closed, He emphasised that the region has been advocating for this development.

“We will open the passport office because it amounts to discrimination. There must be equal access for all citizens to government services, and we want to ensure we walk this journey together,” he said.

In April last year, President Ruto had announced the abolishment of vetting during the national ID card application process for members of certain ethnic groups.

This was set to begin last May, following years of condemnation, as the government faced accusations of ethnic and religious discrimination.

"I'm going to issue a policy document to ensure that we have a mechanism similar to other Kenyans, so that we don’t discriminate based on religion or region," the President said last April.

The announcement was a relief for many, especially applicants from Asian, Arab, and Nubian communities, who are not considered 'indigenous' in Kenya.

The government also reduced the processing time for national identity cards in border counties to 21 days.

Then-Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki stated that this move was part of safeguarding citizens' rights to citizenship and legal identity, while condemning the protracted delays reported by residents.

“We don’t want any more waiting for years. It’s unfair that young people in some parts of this country can wait up to three years for identity cards, while others receive theirs in two weeks,” Kindiki had stated.

“Within 21 days after the application has been lodged, every Kenyan citizen who is supposed to have an identity card must get it,” he added.

The President made these remarks amid growing calls from politicians for young Kenyans, especially Gen Z, to apply for ID cards and play an active role in transforming the country’s governance.

Legislators from both government and opposition have been urging Gen Z to not only obtain IDs but also register as voters, which is crucial for participating in elections and shaping the country’s leadership.

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo, for instance, urged those who have attained the age of 18 to obtain their IDs and take advantage of the three-week processing period.

“Gen Z, I urge you, if you do not have an ID yet, please go to your local Chief and register. The ID will be ready in three weeks. Don’t wait for a time when submissions will no longer be accepted. Ensure you have an ID so we can register all Gen Z as voters,” he said.

Similarly, Tongaren MP Dr. John Chikati launched a registration exercise last month aimed at ensuring that residents of his constituency can acquire IDs.

The process, set to cover the entire constituency over the next two months, targets youths, adults who have never had IDs, and individuals who need replacements due to lost or damaged cards.

“The ID card is a key document that opens doors to essential government services such as healthcare, education, employment, and voting rights. This exercise is about ensuring no one in our constituency is left behind due to lack of an identity card,” he said.

Chikati added: “This is not just about ID cards. It’s about empowerment. When our people have access to IDs, they have better opportunities to improve their livelihoods, access social services, and fully participate in the democratic process. This is a significant step toward enhancing the quality of life in our constituency.”