Elders and human rights defenders from Garissa have called on the government to fast track the issuance of ID cards to residents following President William Ruto’s move to eliminate vetting requirements.
Speaking separately, they said there has been little progress in expediting the issuance of the crucial documents to those who still lack them.
On February 4, Ruto signed a decree eliminating vetting requirements for residents of Northeastern applying for identification documents.
The move was widely welcomed and celebrated by leaders and residents who said for far too long they had been discriminated and treated like they were not Kenyans.
Kenya Livestock and Marketing Council chairman Dubat Amey said one month since the presidential proclamation, there has been little activity to suggest that residents were now acquiring ID cards with ease.
“I don’t want to cast aspersions but truth be told, we have rogue government officials in the registration offices who were used to frustrating our people whenever they sought to apply for those documents. These individuals are still in those offices,” he said.
He added, “It is my hope and prayer that now that this directive came from the President, we will not see residents being subjected to the same old vetting system which as we are all aware was extremely discriminatory.”
Dubat also hit out at Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya who had alleged that the government’s move to scrap the vetting process would lead to infiltration of enemies leading to insecurity in the country.
“Natembeya leave us alone. We are not children of a lesser God, we are Muslims and Kenyans who belong in this country. Our people need to get the ID cards the same way other citizens in other regions acquire them. We are law abiding citizens and not al Shabaab,” he said.
Garissa County MUHURI coordinator Abdihakim Shurie said Article 12[1][b] provides that every citizen is entitled to a Kenyan passport and any document of registration or identification issued by the state.
“Going forward, as human rights defenders who have been on the forefront in highlighting some of these discriminatory practices meted on residents regarding acquiring of these important documents, we are alert and will follow to see whether the directive is being implemented.”
