The Kenyan government has launched a nationwide mobile ID registration drive, aiming to make national identification more accessible to citizens. Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen presided over the official launch of the exercise at Shabab grounds in Nakuru West Subcounty.
This initiative follows President William Ruto’s directive to scrap the Ksh 300 fee previously charged for new national ID applications. Speaking in Kibera last week, President Ruto also emphasized that individuals seeking IDs should not undergo vetting. Instead, applicants will only need to present their birth certificates and their parents’ identification documents.
The government’s move to ease the ID application process is expected to benefit many citizens, particularly youth who face challenges obtaining their national identification cards. The mobile registration drive is designed to ensure that more Kenyans can acquire IDs conveniently without having to travel long distances to government offices.
At the Shabab grounds, officers from the National Registration Bureau have set up a temporary registration center to facilitate the process. Hundreds of Nakuru residents have already turned up to take advantage of the opportunity. Officials have assured applicants that those who register today will receive their national IDs within ten days, a significant improvement from previous waiting times that often extended for weeks or even months.
The nationwide drive aligns with the government’s broader agenda of enhancing access to essential services and promoting digital identity initiatives. By eliminating barriers such as fees and vetting processes, the state seeks to ensure that all eligible Kenyans, especially the youth and marginalized communities, can obtain identification documents seamlessly.
Residents in other parts of the country can also expect mobile registration teams to visit their areas in the coming weeks. The initiative is set to cover all regions, including rural and remote locations, ensuring that no Kenyan is left behind in acquiring their identification documents.
The government’s commitment to streamlining the national ID registration process is expected to have far-reaching benefits, including improved access to employment, education, and financial services for those who previously faced difficulties obtaining identification. The initiative is a crucial step in enhancing national identity management and ensuring that every Kenyan citizen is duly recognized.
