A section of Garissa Members of County Assembly (MCAs) has strongly defended President William Ruto’s recent decision to abolish the vetting process for Kenyans in border counties, calling it a long-overdue step toward equality. The MCAs dismissed criticism of the move, particularly from Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembea, arguing that the people of the northeastern region deserve the same treatment as other citizens when acquiring national identity cards.
During his recent tour of northeastern Kenya, President Ruto signed a proclamation removing the vetting process, which had been in place since 1990 for national security reasons. While critics have argued that the move could open avenues for infiltration by hostile elements, leaders from Garissa maintain that the process had long been used to marginalize citizens of the region.
Leading the defense, Baraki Ward MCA Hassan Geley rebuffed Natembea’s claims that the decision would enable al-Shabaab militants to acquire Kenyan IDs, calling such statements “misleading” and politically motivated. Speaking outside their offices, Geley stressed that the region’s residents are law-abiding citizens and deserve fair treatment.
“We are not children of a lesser God. We are Muslims, and we are Kenyans who belong in this country. Our people should get their ID cards in the same way that other citizens in other regions acquire them,” Geley asserted.
For years, residents of Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera have struggled with bureaucratic hurdles when applying for IDs. The vetting process often took up to six months, denying many young people access to education, employment, and government services. Abasigale MCA Mohammed Sheikh highlighted the unfairness of the system, noting that residents of other regions obtain their IDs without such scrutiny.
“We want to inform other Kenyans that Kenya is one, and there should not be people trying to suppress others just because they come from a certain part of this country. The president wants to unite this country, and we should all agree when he is trying to solve a problem that we have been facing,” Sheikh stated.
As the debate continues, the MCAs have warned critics against interfering in the region’s affairs. They argue that the President’s directive is a step toward national unity and an end to decades of discrimination. For northeastern Kenyans, this move represents more than just a policy change—it is a long-awaited affirmation of their citizenship and rights.
