The government has launched a new national ID registration drive targeting marginalized groups, including border communities, prisoners, and high school students.
The initiative, announced by Immigration and Citizens Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok at the Kajiado Prison on Thursday, aims to enhance access to vital services such as healthcare through the Social Health Authority.
Speaking during the launch, PS Bitok acknowledged the historical barriers that had discouraged many eligible Kenyans from acquiring their IDs.
He emphasized that the government’s new effort, spurred by President William Ruto’s directive, would remove unnecessary hurdles and encourage those without IDs to register.
“We want to ensure that all Kenyans, regardless of their background or location, can easily access their identification documents,” Bitok said, urging individuals to seize the opportunity to obtain their IDs without facing the previous vetting delays or discriminatory practices.
The registration of prisoners is being carried out in partnership with the Ministries of Interior and Health.
This collaboration ensures that inmates can access affordable healthcare and social services by securing their ID documents, particularly benefiting first-time applicants and those requiring replacements.
For high school students, the initiative builds on a previous partnership with the Ministry of Education.
The government is working to ensure that all eligible Form Four students graduate with their national IDs, reinforcing the importance of identity for access to further opportunities and services.
This comes after President Ruto’s decision to dissolve ID vetting committees in 22 counties along the national borders, aimed at addressing the systemic barriers that have long hindered access to identification for marginalized communities.
At the Lang’ata event, President Ruto further pledged to eliminate any form of discrimination, corruption, and delays in acquiring IDs.
He also announced the waiver of the Ksh 300 registration fee for first-time applicants, a move designed to ensure no Kenyan is left behind.
“Discrimination in accessing IDs must stop,” President Ruto asserted, emphasizing that the government is committed to providing all qualified Kenyans with identification documents free of charge.
This new drive signals a significant push towards equal access to essential services and opportunities, ensuring that no Kenyan is denied their basic Right to an ID.
