Members of Parliament have now moved to summon Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to explain why thousands of Kenyans—especially in the Northern region—are still waiting for national identity cards months after applying for them.
The directive was issued by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula during a public engagement in Fafi, Garissa County, on Monday, November 17.
Speaking to residents, the Speaker expressed frustration after community members raised repeated concerns about long delays at the National Registration Bureau despite a presidential order that removed the old vetting process for ID applicants.
Wetang’ula said Parliament will require CS Murkomen to appear before the House next week to explain what has led to the slowdown and what measures the government is taking to resolve the backlog.
Wetang’ula said Parliament will require CS Murkomen to appear before the House next week to explain what has led to the slowdown and what measures the government is taking to resolve the backlog.
The Speaker noted that many youths who completed school or recently turned 18 have been left stranded without the national document they need for job applications, voting registration, mobile money services, school admissions, and other essential services.
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“We have heard from residents that even though vetting was officially removed, the production of ID cards is still extremely slow,” Wetang’ula said.
“Next week, I will invite the Cabinet Secretary so that MPs can ask these questions directly. It is unacceptable for an applicant to wait months when the process should not take more than two weeks.”
Residents from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, and parts of Isiolo have repeatedly complained that ID delays have become a serious barrier, affecting young people the most.
Residents from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, and parts of Isiolo have repeatedly complained that ID delays have become a serious barrier, affecting young people the most.
Many said they feel forgotten by the system despite continuous assurances from national leaders.
Wetang’ula reminded government agencies that access to a national ID is a constitutional right and not a privilege.
Wetang’ula reminded government agencies that access to a national ID is a constitutional right and not a privilege.
He stressed that no Kenyan—regardless of region—should be subjected to hidden barriers or discrimination in the registration process.
“The President gave a very clear directive. Any Kenyan who has reached the legal age must receive their ID card without unnecessary hurdles,” he said.
“The President gave a very clear directive. Any Kenyan who has reached the legal age must receive their ID card without unnecessary hurdles,” he said.
“We cannot have a situation where people from one region receive their cards promptly while others wait endlessly.”
The Speaker emphasized that Parliament expects the Interior Ministry to streamline all office operations, improve technology at the National Registration Bureau, and ensure transparency in the printing and distribution of the documents.
On February 6, President William Ruto announced the complete removal of the 60-year vetting requirement that had mostly affected communities in Northern Kenya.
The Speaker emphasized that Parliament expects the Interior Ministry to streamline all office operations, improve technology at the National Registration Bureau, and ensure transparency in the printing and distribution of the documents.
On February 6, President William Ruto announced the complete removal of the 60-year vetting requirement that had mostly affected communities in Northern Kenya.
Speaking in Wajir at the time, the President said the vetting system had caused unfair discrimination and denied thousands of citizens their right to an ID because of historical profiling.
“If Kenya must vet people, then it should vet every child of Kenya equally,” President Ruto said.
“If Kenya must vet people, then it should vet every child of Kenya equally,” President Ruto said.
“We want the people of Northern Kenya to feel equal to every other Kenyan.”
The vetting process was first introduced in the 1960s after the Shifta conflict, during which some groups in the region attempted to secede.
The vetting process was first introduced in the 1960s after the Shifta conflict, during which some groups in the region attempted to secede.
Over the decades, the system became widely criticized for unfairly targeting Somali Kenyans and other minority communities, forcing them to undergo additional checks that were not required in other parts of the country.
Local leaders say frustrations have now grown because, even after the vetting system was eliminated, many applicants are still stuck in long queues or are told to keep checking "next week."
Local leaders say frustrations have now grown because, even after the vetting system was eliminated, many applicants are still stuck in long queues or are told to keep checking "next week."
Youth groups have complained that the delays are affecting their ability to register SIM cards, apply for HELB loans, or even travel.
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