Kenya Insights

Tag: ID vetting

  • EXPLAINER: Understanding ID Application Vetting

    EXPLAINER: Understanding ID Application Vetting

    In Summary

    • The vetting required applicants to provide extensive documentation, such as birth certificates of parents and grandparents, to prove their Kenyan citizenship.
    • This applied to the Somali, Nubian, Arab, and Asians.

    President William Ruto announced last week the abolition of the 60-year-old vetting process required to acquire a national identity (ID), particularly for individuals from certain communities.

    These include Kenyans of  Somali, Nubian, Arab, and Asian backgrounds.

    The historic move was part of his campaign pledge, especially to the residents of the North Eastern region.

    While signing the Presidential Proclamation on Registration and Issuance of IDs to border counties at Orahey grounds in Wajir Town, Ruto termed the practice as discriminatory.

    “If it is about vetting, let all children of Kenya be vetted equally without any discrimination,” he said.

    The vetting required applicants to provide extensive documentation, such as birth certificates of parents and grandparents, to prove their Kenyan citizenship.

    ID application

    For an ordinary Kenyan above 18 years, application for an ID involves some simple steps.

    Application for the document is done at the National Registration Bureau offices countrywide which are usually located within County Comissioner’s offices or Chiefs camp.

    At the National Registration Bureau office, you will fill out a form detailing your biodata after which your fingerprints and passport photograph shall be taken.

    A waiting card will then be issued to the applicant upon successful application and shall be surrendered when collecting the processed ID card.

    Previously, applicants would wait for up to a month but with the necessary reforms within the offices, it can be collected within 10 days.

    Requirements for proof of age, names and place of birth are birth certificate, parent’s IDs, school leaving certificate, notification of birth, religious certificate and a letter from the area chief or assistant chief.

    For late registration, you will need a sworn affidavit.

    Vetting process 

    It was introduced in the 1990s as part of measures to curb insecurity, especially in areas bordering other countries as well as curb illegal activities but also to protect the interests and safety of local populations.

    There were reports that the influx of foreigners in the country was a security threat.

    These stringent vetting procedures were aimed at regulating the entry and stay of foreigners in the region.

    It was also aimed at ensuring that newcomers were properly documented, screened for security risks, and had legitimate reasons for their presence.

    During this process, applicants had to undergo vetting through local chiefs, assistant chiefs, or village elders who confirmed their identity and their family history.

    This was particularly important because there was little documentation or formal record of birth.

    Applicants also had to demonstrate they were Kenyan citizens by presenting birth certificates, school records, or affidavits from local leaders attesting to the person’s citizenship status.

    There was also a process to ensure that the applicant did not have any conflicting identity or criminal history.

    What the new decree means?

    This directive now means that all Kenyan citizens, regardless of their ethnic or religious background, can now apply for national IDs without facing additional scrutiny.

    This policy change, Ruto said, is aimed at promoting equality and inclusivity, ensuring that every Kenyan has equal access to essential services and opportunities.

    A national ID is a vital document required for accessing services such as education, healthcare, and employment. Without them, individuals are effectively rendered invisible in the eyes of the state.

  • “One Day Al Shabaab Will Become the President’s Escort”: Natembeya Warns of Ruto’s Removal of Vetting for IDs

    “One Day Al Shabaab Will Become the President’s Escort”: Natembeya Warns of Ruto’s Removal of Vetting for IDs

    Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has issued a stark warning over President William Ruto’s recent decision to abolish the vetting process for national identification cards (IDs), calling it a “disaster” and a “serious national security threat.”

    Natembeya, a former regional administrator with extensive experience in Kenya’s North Eastern region, cautioned that the move could lead to the infiltration of Al Shabaab militants into the country’s security organs and even the highest levels of government.

    “One day, we are going to have an Al-Shabaab as the President’s escort,” Natembeya stated, emphasizing the gravity of the potential threat. He expressed concern that without the vetting process, it would be challenging to distinguish between Kenyan-born Somalis and individuals from Somalia, given their shared cultural and linguistic traits.

    “If you allow people to walk in and get IDs without vetting, how will you tell a Somali from Somalia and a Somali born and bred in Kenya? Their culture and appearance are the same, and that’s why the vetting was crucial,” he elaborated.

    Natembeya’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the implications of the government’s decision to disband the vetting committee, which was previously tasked with verifying the authenticity of applicants for Kenyan IDs, particularly in border regions.

    Critics argue that the move, ostensibly aimed at streamlining the ID issuance process, could open the floodgates for illegal immigrants and militants to acquire Kenyan documents, posing a significant threat to national security.

    Al Shabaab Infiltration Fears

    The governor warned that the removal of vetting could enable Al Shabaab militants, who have long operated in neighboring Somalia, to acquire Kenyan IDs and passports, allowing them to roam freely within the country and even infiltrate key security agencies.

    “The Al Shabaab who kidnapped the chiefs will now be given Kenyan IDs. A time will come when they’ll dominate the Kenyan army, police, and even become the presidential escort, since they’ll now be able to disguise themselves as Kenyans,” Natembeya said.

    He further cautioned that the militants could use Kenyan documents to launch attacks on friendly nations, such as the United States, potentially leading to international repercussions.

    “These people will go on to attack our friendly countries, like America, using Kenyan IDs and passports. Our country will be flagged, and you’ll be denied visas. The consequences are going to be catastrophic,” he added.

    Historical Context and Bribery Allegations

    Natembeya, who previously served as a regional commissioner in the North Eastern region, highlighted the historical challenges of managing ID issuance in border areas. He revealed that even with the vetting committee in place, corruption and bribery had allowed many non-Kenyans to acquire national documents.

    “Most of the people who apply for Kenyan IDs come from Somalia. They’ve been able to acquire them before by bribing the committee members. Now that it’s been opened for all, we’re going to have many Al Shabaab members coming into our country. They’ll infiltrate even our key security organs, from the KDF to the police. This thing is dangerous,” he said.

    President William Ruto signing the Presidential Proclamation on Registration and Issuance of IDs to Border Counties at Orahey Grounds in Wajir Town on February 5, 2025. PHOTO/@WilliamsRuto/

    Long-Term Implications

    The governor also warned of the long-term implications of the policy, predicting that in four to five years, Kenya could see a significant increase in the number of foreigners registered as citizens.

    He cautioned that these individuals could eventually gain political influence, vying for and winning elective positions.

    “In another four or five years, I can assure you we will have more foreigners in Kenya registered as Kenyans. They’ll be voters, even vying for seats. They’ll become MCAs, MPs, governors, and even president. I want you to mark this: soon, this country will be hell,” Natembeya said.

    Calls for Reconsideration

    Natembeya urged President Ruto to reconsider the decision, emphasizing that national security should not be compromised for the sake of political expediency. “This thing is going to cause problems. You shouldn’t play populist politics with security, Mr. President,” he said.

    President Ruto announced the abolition of the vetting process during a tour of the North Eastern region, describing it as a step toward ending historical discrimination against communities in the area. “We will remove vetting in the processing of National Identification Cards and passports, which has derailed the people of Northeastern Kenya for far too long,” Ruto stated.

    While the president’s directive aims to promote inclusivity, it has elicited mixed reactions. Governors from other border counties have called for the extension of this policy to their regions, arguing that stringent vetting requirements have prevented many residents from obtaining IDs. “Being identified, accounted for, and known to belong to a certain place is a fundamental right of every Kenyan. When your number is not documented, it displaces you,” noted Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko.

    Conversely, some leaders and security experts share Natembeya’s apprehensions, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that ensures both inclusivity and national security. The debate underscores the complex interplay between human rights and security considerations in policymaking.

    As the nation grapples with these concerns, the government faces the challenge of implementing policies that uphold the rights of all citizens while safeguarding the country’s security interests.