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Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration Raymond Omollo has defended the move by President William Ruto to do away with extra vetting for ID issuance to border communities.
Speaking to a local radio station on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Omollo said the extra vetting among residents of border communities created some sort on inequality among Kenyans.
He says under the new framework, Kenyans in the border communities who attain the age of acquiring the crucial document will only require a confirmation from the authorities that they are bonafide citizens of Kenya.
“We were more or less having two sets of citizens – one set that is treated in one particular way and another set being treated differently. We all agree that in this day and age that is something that we cannot sustain for us to have a society that is equal. We have heard Kenyans, particularly from the border counties and this is not just the border with Somalia or Ethiopia – it’s across whether it is Uganda, Tanzania or South Sudan – that let’s treat every Kenyan equally particularly when it comes to giving them identity documents,” Omollo said
“What the government has done in essence is that we have taken away the need to do extra vetting. We have existing government infrastructure – we have the chiefs, and assistant chiefs and they would be able to tell us that yes this is a Kenyan born to so and so and therefore they have reached the age of 18 and therefore they need to get an identity card.”
Ruto’s promise
Speaking during a development tour in Mandera County on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, President William Ruto promised to embark on the process to facilitate easy access to the vital document by the residents of border areas.
The head of state emphasized that the move is geared towards ending the discriminative practice that has left people from the region being treated as non-Kenyans.
“The time of northern Kenyan to be isolated is over this region is good part of Kenya and deserve to be treated as Kenyans. Kesho niko na ceremony kubwa ya kuondoa, once and for all, ile maneno ya vetting ambayo ilikuwa inawakandamiza watu wa Northern Kenya. Wamefanywa kuwa kama si Wakenya wakati wa kutafuta kitambulisho au passport,” Ruto said.
In addition to reversing the discriminatory policies, the president also reiterated his commitment to Kenyans to unite, terming it essential in assuring dignity and equality to all Kenyans.
“It’s my responsibility to ensure Kenya is united and people are treated equally. I am committed to ensuring Kenyans are equal and treated with dignity with rest of Kenyan I will proudly undertake this,” headed.
“For those trying to mislead and confuse us, they will fail miserably. Wale watu wanajaribu kutugawanya kikabila mara eti huyu ni wa bara, mara wa pwani, mara wa sijui uyu wa milima, na hawa bonde. Wengine eti ni wa payslip na kadhalika hawana idea. They will not succeed in dividing our nation.”
Francis Muli
Francis Muli is a passionate digital journalist with over seven years of experience in crafting compelling stories across various platforms. His major focus is in business, politics and current affairs. He brings a keen eye for detail and a commitment to uncovering the truth.
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