Kenya, Feb. 5 -- In a significant move for equitable treatment across Kenya, President William Ruto has signed a decree aimed at unifying the process of National Identity Card registration.
This decree, announced on February 5, 2025, specifically targets the elimination of extra vetting and ethnic profiling in border counties, notably impacting regions like North Eastern Kenya.
President William Ruto has signed a decree in Wajir County, ending additional vetting requirements for residents of border counties when obtaining national identity documents.
This decision aims to streamline the process, promoting national unity and equal access to identity documentation, which has historically posed challenges for communities in Kenya's North Eastern region.
The decree discontinues the additional vetting procedures previously required for residents in border counties during the application for national IDs.
It mandates continuous review of the guidelines and processes by bodies responsible for issuing national IDs to ensure fairness and transparency.
Residents in these counties have long faced barriers to obtaining IDs, with the process often cited as discriminatory due to extra vetting demands.
The move has been widely praised by local leaders and residents who see it as a step towards ending decades of marginalization.
Netizens highlight the sentiment of "One Kenya, One Identity," emphasizing national unity and equal treatment across ethnic lines.
Critics, however, urge for vigilant monitoring of the implementation to ensure the decree translates into tangible change on the ground.
President Ruto, during the signing at Orahey Grounds in Wajir, stressed the importance of this decree in fostering national cohesion, stating, "Our fellow countrymen from Northern Kenya will no longer suffer the indignity of being subjected to extra-vetting and ethnic profiling in order to acquire national identification documents."
The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has already piloted new guidelines for ID registration in these counties, aiming for a 21-day processing period for national identity cards.
The decree sets a precedent for further reforms in how national services are provided, aiming to reduce discrimination and enhance access to government services.
There is an expectation for increased registration and participation in civic duties from previously underrepresented communities.
This decree by President Ruto marks a pivotal moment in Kenyan governance, focusing on inclusivity and equal citizenship rights, potentially reshaping the socio-political landscape in regions long feeling the brunt of systemic discrimination.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.