Nairobi, Feb. 6 -- It should take about a month for a Kenyan to apply for and get a national identification card according to the service delivery charter by the National Registration Bureau. The reality, however, is different for thousands of Kenyans.

The delays are ordinarily caused by logistical glitches such as breakdown of printing machines, shortage of printing materials and, in cases of border county applicants, the need for thorough background checks of applicants.

The current applications backlog, however, is occasioned by a court order stopping production of third-generation IDs.

In the North Rift, thousands of ID applicants are yet to get the crucial document that facilitates access to government and private sector services....