BUNGOMA, Kenya – Moses Wetang’ula, the speaker of the National Assembly, has urged the Bungoma County administration to spare locals from the stringent vetting procedure when they apply for National Identity Cards (IDs).
President William Ruto issued the directions earlier in the month in North Eastern Kenya, which served as the context for Wetang’ula’s remarks.
After the president removed obstacles that prevented eligible residents, particularly young people, from obtaining identification documents, Wetang’ula instructed chiefs and their aides to use their positions to encourage them to do so.
He urged them to step up their efforts and make sure that eligible folks obtain the crucial paperwork.
Speaking when he hosted political leaders and the administrators at his home in Bungoma, Wetang’ula reminded the administrators that the president’s order is not meant for the North Eastern region alone.
“I support the president’s directive on the removal of vetting of ID applicants. I want to clarify that the directive is not meant for the North Eastern region only but applicable countrywide,” he added.
The Speaker noted that the order got rid of the colonial restrictions that made it hard to acquire an ID.
“Most youths shied away from applying for IDs because of the unnecessary restrictions they are subjected to. I have seen Kenyans above 60 who do not have IDs because they don’t meet the requirements,” he said.
What Speaker Wetang’ula expects from MPs and MCAs
He added that the government would devolve the ID issuance bureaus to hasten the process of acquiring the document.
“We had a meeting with the president, and he agreed that the government will decentralise more services related to the issuance of IDs except for printing to make the process faster and have applicants get the document on time,” he added.
The Speaker challenged MPs and MCAs who were present to ensure that the number of registered voters is increased as a result of the majority of residents acquiring IDs.
“I urge politicians to mobilize all ID holders to register as voters. We are targeting to increase our numbers of registered voters from more than 600,000 to one million,” he said.
President Ruto discontinues vetting of persons in border communities during issuance of national identity documents.
He added: “Bungoma is the third largest county in the country, and there is no justification as to why we have not hit one million registered voters.”
On stalled road projects in the county, the Speaker notified the meeting that the government has allocated Sh1.5 billion in the supplementary budget for the completion projects.
“Critics have been all over making noise about the stalled road projects that the president launched during his tour of the region. The good news is that money has been set aside for the projects, and in the next three weeks, you will see them up and running,” he explained.
How the government plans to save Nzoia Sugar Company
Wetang’ula stated that the government had found a possible company to lease the financially troubled Nzoia Sugar factory to.
He claimed that this was a step to help struggling farmers by revitalising the mill.
Wetang’ula pointed out that the interests of farmers were not served by those who opposed the factory’s leasing.
“I urge farmers who relied on the sugar mill for their livelihood to ignore critics who were opposed to plans and remind them that the leaders in the Nyanza region have rallied behind plans to lease Sony, Miwani, Muhoroni and Chemilil sugar mills.”
He added that in the leasing deal, they have agreed that the new investor should pay all farmers and staff dues, install a new crushing machine, and set aside six percent of farmers’ dues for their bonus.
“The bonus programmes started by the president for the farmers should be implemented by the new investor for the good of the farmer,” he added.
He urged farmers to start growing coffee to profit from the cash crop’s rising pricing, which went from Sh50 per kilogramme to Sh114.
Why Bungoma elected leaders want development in the area
The Speaker also urged leaders once more to intensify their efforts to get most inhabitants to sign up for the new medical program, Social Health Authority (SHA), so they can receive benefits while undergoing treatment.
MPs backed the leasing of the Nzoia Sugar factory under Governor Kenneth Lusaka’s leadership, arguing that it was the only way to help the factory overcome its financial difficulties.
“Leasing of the factory is a good idea that should be supported by farmers who are attached to the mill,” said the governor.
Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli said it was good that the government had allocated money for the completion of the stalled roads.
“Completion of the stalled roads would open up the county and make movement of people and goods easier,” he added.
Other MPs who supported the leasing of the factory include John Chikati (Tongaren), John Makali (Kanduyi), Martin Pepela (Webuye East), and Didmus Barasa (Kimilili).
MCAs who attended the meeting were led by the County Assembly Speaker Emanuel Situma and Majority Leader Joseph Nyongesa, among others.
