The government has announced a new national ID registration drive targeting marginalized groups, including communities living along national borders, prisoners, and high school students.
Speaking at the Kajiado Prison during the launch of the exercise on Thursday, Immigration and Citizens Services Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok said the initiative will enhance access to medical insurance under the Social Health Authority.
“Vetting and other historical disadvantages discouraged many eligible Kenyans from acquiring IDs. We now want them to take advantage of the President’s directive and obtain their identification documents without unnecessary hurdles,” said PS Bitok.
The registration of prisoners is being done through a collaborative effort between the ministries of Interior and Health.
This initiative will allow inmates to access affordable healthcare by securing identification documents, particularly for first-time applicants and those in need of replacements.
For High school students the government is building on an earlier initiative introduced last year in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, ensuring that all eligible Form Four students graduate with national IDs.
This happens after President William Ruto’s decision last month to disband ID vetting committees in 22 counties along national borders.
He reiterated that the move was a step towards eliminating discrimination, corruption, and unnecessary delays in obtaining IDs.
On Thursday, the President further directed the waiver of the Ksh300 registration fee for first-time ID applicants, reinforcing his commitment to ensuring all eligible Kenyans have access to identification.
“Discrimination in accessing IDs must stop. I have directed that all qualified Kenyans should get their identification documents without any charges,” President Ruto stated in Lang’ata, Nairobi.
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