NAIROBI, Kenya – More than 400,000 national identification cards are yet to be collected from government offices across the country, raising concern among officials over the slow pace of voter registration ahead of the next general election.
Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang on Friday urged Kenyans who have applied for IDs to collect them immediately, warning that failure to do so could lock many out of the electoral process.
“We are calling upon all applicants to collect their IDs as soon as possible so they can also register as voters,” said Kipsang during a tree planting event in Kapseret to mark Mazingira Day.
The PS revealed that the government will mobilize chiefs, assistant chiefs and registration officers to trace and deliver uncollected cards, particularly in remote and arid regions where access to government services remains limited.
He also noted a decline in new ID applications, especially in border counties and semi-arid regions, despite the government’s move to abolish vetting committees that had previously complicated the process.
“We have made it as easy as possible. We urge every eligible citizen, including the elderly, to acquire their ID and register as voters,” Kipsang said, adding that application and collection are now free of charge following a directive by President William Ruto.
Senate Probes ID Delays
Meanwhile, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has called on the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations to investigate the frequent delays in ID processing and collection that have caused frustration among citizens.
The Senator wants the Interior Ministry to explain the reasons for the backlog, disclose how many IDs remain uncollected, and propose measures to fast-track distribution to applicants.
“Kenyans deserve faster and more reliable access to identification services,” Nyutu said.
The Committee chaired by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo has also been directed to examine whether the ministry plans to introduce alternative collection methods and to assess how the delays are affecting the ongoing voter registration exercise.
Lawmakers also want clarity on the coordination between the Interior Ministry and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to prevent voter exclusion ahead of the polls.
The push comes amid growing public complaints about bureaucratic bottlenecks in ID issuance, which continue to hinder access to essential services, including education, employment, and government benefits.
