Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has sounded a warning over potential security risks following President William Ruto’s directive to abolish the vetting process for ID issuance in Northern Kenya. The former regional commissioner expressed concerns that terrorists and other criminals could easily obtain Kenyan citizenship without proper scrutiny, posing a serious threat to national security.
Natembeya argued that the move could create a loophole that would allow non-Kenyans, including extremists, to acquire identification documents without undergoing thorough background checks.
“This is going to turn into a scramble for Kenya because they have opened the door to problems they won’t be able to stop. I am deeply concerned that terrorists could simply come in, obtain IDs, and nobody would know their background. You just walk in, and you are given an ID,” he stated during an interview with Citizen TV on Monday.
For decades, vetting for ID issuance has been a stringent policy applied to communities in the Northeastern region, especially those living along Kenya’s borders. The process, involving clan elders, chiefs, police, and intelligence officers, was designed to verify Kenyan citizenship and safeguard national interests. However, President Ruto declared the system discriminatory and signed a proclamation abolishing it during his recent tour of the region. While the move has been welcomed by his supporters, critics, including Natembeya, view it as a politically motivated decision ahead of the 2027 elections.
Natembeya, however, insisted that his opposition is not politically driven but based on genuine national security concerns.
“I love my country more than politics. I have seen things that could harm the nation, and I have to speak out. I have defended Somali rights in the past, yet some of the leaders criticizing me today have never done as much for the Somali people as I have,” he stated.
He called on senior government officials to provide the President with sound and patriotic advice to prevent the country from facing potential security threats.
However, Eldas MP Adan Keynan dismissed these fears, asserting that Kenya’s identification registration system remains robust and secure.
“Is it possible for non-Kenyans to apply for IDs? How would they do so? Applicants must provide their parents’ birth certificates and prove their Kenyan citizenship. This concern is misplaced—the issue has been taken out of context,” Keynan argued.
As the debate rages, stakeholders are urging a balanced approach that ensures both inclusivity and national security, emphasizing that any policy shift should be backed by stringent safeguards against exploitation.
