Marsabit County registers an increase in number of first time applicants. Photo: Ministry of Immigration.
Marsabt County has recorded a significant rise on number of first time National Identification Card applicants for the first time in history, an indicator that the number will be high by 2027.
This is according to Isaac Kibet, the registrar of people in the county, following an influx of youths and elders who initially did not have National IDs turning up for the application process.
He attributed the rise to 18% to the lift by President William Ruto decision to remove the vetting process during the application, a decision he made during his development tour of the North Eastern development tour.
“Since the vetting committee was removed , the number has increased, as those elders who did not have IDs , have applied and received their IDs. The previous vetting process barred a number of them to own IDs. The process is easier as, one only needs the approval of the chief to certify that they are Kenyans. The process has recorded an increase from previously 44% to 62%, a significant increase of 18% in the whole of Marsabit County,” Kibet said.
According to Kibet, there has been a positive response from both youths and elders to the process, lauding the government’s decision to lift the ban. He said that the application process is currently underway at in all sub-counties, urging residents to come out and do the application as it is free.
” After they removed vetting the elders have also started receiving their IDs, but a majority of the applicants are youths. The elders also came out and said that they want to have IDs, there are registration officers in every sub-county, so if one does not have, they will receive assistance from our officers, people should turn out, as we plan to roll out other offices in remote areas within the county,” he further remarked.
However, Dukana and Turbi sub-counties have so far recorded a small number of applications, due to small number of people, unlike Moyale, where there has been a large massive turn up by first time applicants.
However, Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya faulted the president’s decision, saying it exposes terrorists and Somalis from Somalia to easily access the country’s ID, asking Ruto to reconsider his decision.
