SIAYA, Kenya- Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr. Raymond Omollo has said the government’s ongoing reforms to the national identification registration process are restoring inclusion by ensuring all eligible Kenyans can obtain identity documents without unnecessary barriers.
Speaking on Friday during the burial of veteran educationist Mwalimu Daniel Oluoch Wandayi, brother to Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, in Ugunja, Siaya County, Omollo said the reforms are implementing President William Ruto’s directive to make access to national identity cards easier and more equitable.
He said the Ministry of Interior and National Administration is executing the directive fairly to ensure no Kenyan is locked out of government services, development opportunities or democratic participation because they lack identification documents.
“Access to identification documents is about citizenship, inclusion and dignity. No Kenyan should be excluded from government programmes or democratic participation because they lack an identity document,” Omollo said.
Thousands Still Without IDs
The Principal Secretary noted that many adults across different parts of the country still do not possess national identity cards or voter registration documents, limiting their ability to access government programmes and participate fully in national development.
He said the ongoing nationwide registration exercise seeks to ensure every eligible Kenyan is documented, represented and able to benefit from government initiatives.
According to Omollo, the reforms form part of President Ruto’s broader agenda of promoting equity, inclusion and national cohesion by ensuring no region or community is left behind.
New Administrative Units
The PS also outlined efforts by the government to improve service delivery through the operationalisation of new administrative units.
In Siaya County, he announced that Sikalame Division is currently being operationalised, with a newly appointed Assistant County Commissioner expected to report next week.
He added that recruitment of chiefs and assistant chiefs for newly established locations and sub-locations is already underway.
Omollo acknowledged that Siaya has fewer administrative units compared to neighbouring counties and revealed that consultations involving the Interior Ministry and local leaders had agreed to prioritise the county during the next phase of gazettement.
“Bringing government closer to the people remains a key priority. We want wananchi to access services conveniently and efficiently without travelling long distances,” he said.
SHA Registration
The Principal Secretary also urged Siaya residents to continue enrolling with the Social Health Authority (SHA), revealing that registration in the county currently stands at 52 per cent.
While commending the progress achieved so far, he called on leaders and residents to intensify public sensitisation efforts to ensure more households benefit from the government’s universal healthcare programme.
Education Investment
Paying tribute to the late Mwalimu Daniel Oluoch Wandayi, Omollo described him as an accomplished educationist whose mentorship positively influenced generations of learners.
He encouraged parents to continue prioritising education, describing it as the greatest equaliser and a key pathway to economic empowerment.
The PS said the government has committed unprecedented resources to education, including expanding Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and strengthening skills development programmes to prepare young people for employment and entrepreneurship.
Warning Against Political Violence
Omollo also cautioned politicians against exploiting young people for political violence.
He warned that violence often leads to loss of lives, destruction of property and denies young people opportunities to realise their full potential.
“Young people should never allow themselves to be used to settle political scores. Their energy and talents should be directed towards education, innovation, entrepreneurship and nation-building,” he said.
The Principal Secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive development, improved public service delivery and national unity, saying the Kenya Kwanza administration will continue implementing programmes aimed at ensuring every Kenyan has an equal opportunity to benefit from the country’s development.
Several national and county leaders, including ODM leader Senator Oburu Odinga, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, Gender Principal Secretary Anne Wang’ombe, and a host of Members of Parliament from the Nyanza region attended the funeral.