HUSSEIN: Paradigm shift? Disbanding vetting teams in IDs issuance

The recent announcement by Immigration and Citizen Services PS and his Interior counterpart could enable communities residing along borders, for the first time to enjoy and have access to basic fundamental rights with ease.

The announcement was in line with the presidential policy directive to dissolve the existing multi-agency vetting teams, which have been criticised for corruption and prolonged delays in the issuance of identify cards, mainly for communities residing along borders, particularly northern and Muslim-dominated counties.

They will now enjoy rights, privileges and benefits of citizenship as envisaged in the Constitution under Chapter 3 and 4, Citizenship and the Bill of Rights.

This move signals a significant step to fostering inclusivity and equality in Kenya.

The government, led by President William Ruto, is reaffirming its commitment to uphold constitutionalism as outlined in the Kenya Kwanza government manifesto.

'The Plan'- The Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda 2022-27 that aims to end ethnic profiling in the issuing of identity documents, reflects a dedication to promoting fairness and justice in the administrative processes and ultimately ensure that at any given time and place, all Kenyans shall enjoy their rights and privileges without discrimination.

All along, communities along border points have been subjected to endless bureaucracies, suspicion, discrimination, frustrations, unnecessary vetting, corrupt institutions and prolonged delays in the acquisition of fundamental documents like IDs and passports, portraying them as second-class citizens by successive governments.

However, the new policy directives depict a new dawn for the people of the North. Children will now be issued with IDs at ease. This will give them an opportunity to open bank accounts, seek financing for start-up projects, apply for colleges and seek jobs.

This is unlike the previous tradition when majority of the youth had to wait until they hit 20-24 years after being denied and unsuccessfully sitting before the multi-agency teams comprising of the National Intelligence Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, military intelligence, officers from the National Registration Bureau, national administration and elders with compromised integrity.

In addition to the policy directive, one of the yardsticks to evaluate its success is the efficiency of the process. It will, therefore, be imperative for authorities to consider fast-tracking the process of printing IDs and advancing from the past mechanism that was synonymous with delays of between six months and two years.

Similarly, it's commonly believed chiefs are best-suited for the duty and it is imperative they are vigilant and not attempt to adulterate the process.

The proposed policy reform signifies chiefs integral role in the process of issuance of IDs, making them the first officials to be held accountable in case of misuse, abuse of office and giving false information.

The local national administration officer, in partnership with local civil society organisations and human right activists, need to conduct a thorough civic education exercise on citizenship and Bill of Rights to overcome hurdles in relation to IDs and other basic fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution.

In furtherance of upholding constitutionalism and complying with its constitutional obligations, it’s evident the Kenya Kwanza government is keen on building the foundations for a more equitable, dynamic, inclusive and transformative nation by providing these communities with the means to fully engage in social and economic transformation.

This paradigm shift illustrates the government commitments geared towards enhancing the lives of marginalised people and thus fostering a more robust united Kenya – northern and other border communities have been yearning for.

The writer is a policy analyst and political commentator on current issues