Justice Commission issues seven-day demand over ID cards delay

National Registration Bureau workers at Huduma center, Kakamega. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

The National Registration Bureau (NRB) has seven days to respond to concerns of delayed issuance of national identification cards.

The Commission on Administrative Justice on Thursday wrote to the Bureau's director demanding an explanation, following numerous complaints over extended delays in processing and issuing IDs.

"According to reports, parents and students enrolling in various higher learning institutions are expressing concerns over inordinate delays adversely affecting their right to apply for critical public services, travel documents, financing, and other opportunities," the office of the Ombudsman wrote in a letter.

The Justice Commission is now demanding that the Bureau issue expected timelines on the issuance of the crucial documents within seven days.

NRB is also expected to respond in writing on what challenges they are experiencing resulting in the months-long delay, and steps they are taking to resolve the crisis.

In May this year, Huduma Kenya attributed the delays in the issuance of the cards to a court order stopping the production of new IDs.

Immigration PS Julius Bitok said they are currently receiving at least 8,000 applications in a day, against 15,000 IDs that they are processing.