President Uhuru Kenyatta orders chiefs to deliver IDs to applicants

PSCU

President Uhuru directs chiefs to deliver uncollected national identity cards to applicants. (Photo: Mose Sammy/Standard)

President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed chiefs and their assistants to deliver uncollected national identity cards to applicants.

And he warned the administrators against demanding bribes before releasing the IDs in a drive meant to boost the ongoing registration of voters ahead of the August elections.

"You know people in your areas, make sure you get the IDs to them. That is part of the service Kenyans expect from you," said President Kenyatta who spoke at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri County yesterday.

Mr Kenyatta said the Government will increase mobile ID application centres, especially in arid and semi-arid areas, to make it easier for those who move from one area to another in search of water and pasture to access the crucial documents and register as voters.

"We want to ensure we can follow and issue them with IDs so they can register as voters and participate in the coming elections," he said.

President Kenyatta underscored the need to sensitise Kenyans on the importance of registering as voters. "While people are aware voter registration is going on, there are many who still don't understand why they should register."

"Therefore, we need to sensitise people that voter registration is ongoing and make them appreciate that it is important for every Kenyan of voting age to register."

The President said he is confident many people will turn up to register as voters due to the campaigns he has been conducting.

"Lack of IDs is affecting registration of voters but I have directed all the concerned agencies to make every effort and expedite issuance of this crucial document. We want the youth to know a national ID is a right, not a privilege. They should not pay for a service the Government provides free of charge," he said.

Meanwhile, a committee has been set up to advise the Government on how to fight the drought ravaging many parts of the country. There have been reports of people dying due to starvation.