By Renson Mnyamwezi
Immigration Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Kisombe has assured Kenyans that the Government is committed to issuing identity cards ahead of the next General Election.
The PS said no Kenyan, who has attained the mandatory age of 18, would be denied an ID card.
"The documents will start rolling out to ensure eligible Kenyans register as voters in large numbers to participate in the elections. The materials to process the documents are already in the country," he said.
Warned officials
Kisombe said the documents are also important for the youth, particularly in securing employment and college admission.
Speaking in Mwatate District during a fact finding mission, the PS warned the ministry officials against harassing those seeking IDs, saying anyone found doing that would be sacked.
"It is a fundamental right of all Kenyans to own identification documents like IDs and birth certificates and I do not want anybody to be denied these rights as enshrined in the constitution," he added.
Kisombe was reacting to reports by the chairman of the Taita-Taveta Reform Caucus, Mwakazi Mtongolo, that locals were being denied identification documents yet the PS comes from the region.
Mtongolo said he would sensitise the local community to acquire ID cards to enable them register as voters in large numbers.
Kisombe said the registration process had earlier been suspended because of lack of materials.
"The materials to process the identification documents have security features and that’s why we’ve to order them from abroad. They are now available and work will start as soon as possible," assured the PS.
He, however, said thousands of ID cards are still lying uncollected at various district registration offices.
"Many people have been complaining to me that their IDs have been delayed by the ministry and have come to learn later that they are actually lying at their respective district registration offices," observed Kisombe.
