Parliament adopts Motion to have IDs issued in counties

Business

Parliament has unanimously passed a Motion to devolve the issuance of national identity cards.

MPs pressed the Government to implement the Motion to curb delays in processing the documents and redress a disenfranchised majority, especially the youth.

They protested that the Government was handling the issuance of IDs as if it were a privilege, yet Kenyans are entitled to the identification document.

The Motion moved by Nominated MP Mohammed Affey, urges the Government to decentralise the services to the 47 counties within the next six months.

However, the Government is yet to roll out the devolved system due to delays in passing devolution laws and building of structures for county governments.

But Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’ said implementation of the Motion was achievable with adequate funding in light of the new version of the documents.

He explained the ID cards could be printed less than 24 hours after the application since the information would be processed at the point of registration.

"This Motion is achievable, and all it says can be done, but it would require some more funding and in the future, counties would be able to register their own populations," Kajwang’ said.

Facilitating decentralisation

Affey’s Motion is informed by the provisions of the Constitution on devolution with regard to facilitating decentralisation of State organs and services.

Affey cited challenges in acquiring of IDs under the current centralised system.

Environment Assistant Minister Margaret Kamar termed the Motion timely. She said the matter should be prioritised in the budget preparation.

Prof Kamar said majority of people wield provisional cards showing they had applied for the IDs, which however, were not legally recognised in transactions.

"People have been with these cards for one or two years. It is a shame. It means people have not been able to open accounts in banks because this is a basic document," she said.

Sotik MP Joyce Laboso said the services should be decentralised to improve efficiency and cut costs.

"It is in the counties where we are able to gather necessary information faster and accurately," she said.

—Reporting by Alex Ndegwa and David Ochami

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