The struggle to acquire national identity cards in Northern Kenya has finally ended after President William Ruto signed a historic proclamation abolishing the controversial vetting process. This move eliminates years of discrimination and bureaucratic barriers that have long marginalized thousands of residents, denying them access to critical government services and opportunities.
Speaking at Orahey Grounds in Wajir, President Ruto declared that all Kenyans should be treated equally when applying for identification documents. The Presidential Proclamation on Registration and Issuance of IDs to Border Counties marks a turning point in citizenship rights, ensuring that Northern Kenya residents are no longer subjected to unnecessary scrutiny.
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How Were Northern Kenya Residents Vetted for IDs?
For decades, acquiring an ID in Northern Kenya was a lengthy and frustrating ordeal. Unlike in other regions where applicants only needed a birth certificate and parental identification, residents from Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, and other border counties faced an extra layer of scrutiny.
The vetting process required applicants to appear before a local security committee, comprising chiefs, National Intelligence Service (NIS) officers, police, and elders. They had to prove their Kenyan lineage, sometimes going back several generations, and often needed additional witnesses to vouch for their citizenship. Some families were denied IDs based on unproven claims of Somali ancestry or alleged foreign connections.
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This form of ethnic profiling left thousands stateless, preventing them from accessing education, healthcare, employment, and financial services. Without an ID, they could not register businesses, vote, travel freely, or access loans, effectively limiting their participation in national development.
What Does the Removal of Vetting Mean?
With the new directive, residents of Northern Kenya can now apply for IDs like any other Kenyan, without facing unfair vetting processes. This development unlocks opportunities that were previously out of reach, including:
Easier Access to Jobs and Education – Many young people in the region had been locked out of higher education and formal employment due to lack of identification.
Improved Economic Participation – The ability to open bank accounts, register businesses, and access financial services will empower local entrepreneurs and traders.
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End of Institutional Discrimination – The abolition of vetting dismantles a system that has treated Northern Kenya residents as second-class citizens.
Ruto’s Development Tour: A New Dawn for Northern Kenya
President Ruto’s announcement came during his four-day development tour of Northern Kenya, covering Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Isiolo. The visit signals the government’s commitment to integrating the region into national development efforts.
During the tour, the President unveiled major projects aimed at boosting infrastructure, education, and economic growth.
One of the biggest announcements was the allocation of KSh 6.9 billion to connect thousands of households and public institutions to electricity. The investment will also support solar-powered boreholes, helping to combat the chronic water shortages that have plagued the region for years.
Education remains a key focus, with the launch of Tarbaj Teachers Training College aimed at addressing the severe teacher shortage in Northern Kenya. Many schools have struggled due to a lack of qualified teachers, forcing students to endure long distances or substandard learning conditions. By training teachers locally, the government hopes to bridge the education gap.
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Boosting the Livestock Sector
As a region where livestock is the backbone of the economy, the President also launched the National Livestock Restocking Program to support pastoralists who lost animals due to drought and El Niño floods. Additionally, a nationwide livestock vaccination campaign was flagged off to curb diseases that have hindered Kenya’s meat exports to international markets.
Infrastructure Upgrades: A KSh 100 Billion Road Project
To improve connectivity, the government will tarmack 750 kilometers of roads across Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa counties. The KSh 100 billion project, funded in partnership with the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Arab Bank, will enhance trade, open up remote areas, and boost economic development in the region.
Healthcare Investments
President Ruto also commissioned the Wajir Satellite Blood Transfusion Centre and inspected expansion work at Wajir Hospital, as part of efforts to improve medical services in the region. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring all Kenyans, regardless of location, have access to quality healthcare.
A Call for Unity and Equal Development
During his speech, President Ruto called for national unity, urging Northern Kenya residents to support the government’s inclusivity agenda. He emphasized that no region should feel left behind, stressing that equal resource distribution is essential for long-term stability and economic growth.
“This country belongs to all of us, and we must develop all corners of Kenya equally,” he said.
The removal of ID vetting is more than a policy change—it is a victory for human rights, equality, and national cohesion. For the people of Northern Kenya, this marks the beginning of a new era where citizenship is no longer questioned, but affirmed.
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