Ruto Promises to Sign Executive Order on ID Application Vetting After Outcry

President William Ruto promised to sign an executive order on Wednesday stopping the compulsory vetting of Identification card applicants in the Northeastern region.

Speaking in Mandera on Tuesday, February 4, President Ruto stated that the process was discriminatory as it only applied to residents of a select group of Kenyans from six counties; Tana River, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo, and Marsabit.

“The discrimination that has been ongoing in Kenya for 60 years that when a child from Mandera, Wajir, Garissa or Tana River goes to apply for an ID card gets asked more questions than those asked in maternity wards is going to stop,” Ruto declared.

“Tomorrow, I will sign an executive order to remove the discriminatory vetting process that the children of this region have suffered so that all Kenyan children in Kenya will be counted as equals despite their tribes because we are all equal in the constitution of Kenya.”

Tomorrow, President Ruto will also be opening a passport issuance office in the region as part of his three-day tour in Northern Kenya.

His announcement was lauded by Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale who not only hails from the region but has also been a strong advocate of the reversal of the policy that has served Kenya since its independence.

According to the CS, residents of the six counties have been undergoing more stringent vetting processes before they are issued an ID card, a testament to the discrimination they face due to their Somali heritage.

“For 60 years, we have been told to undergo vetting in order to be granted IDs and passports. The governments of the late Kenyatta, President Moi, President Kibaki, and President Uhuru Kenyatta did not achieve what you have achieved,” Duale said.

“You have decided that a Somali child, a Borana child, a Turkana child, a Kamba child, and a Kalenjin child will all be treated equally when applying for birth certificates, national IDs, or passports. That alone is so important to the people of Nothern Kenya.”

At the same event, CS Duale urged the President to avail electricity in the region before the Ramadhan celebrations in March.

“We are almost approaching Ramadhan. I have told you many times, and leaders have also told you, that electricity in Wajir and Mandera is a big problem. On 1st March, we begin Ramadhan celebrations, and electricity is our biggest challenge. Please, help us,” Duale pleaded.

In addition to this, he requested the President to fast-track the road construction of the Nothern gateway from Isiolo to Mandera which was stalled during the previous regime.

Ruto further assured of his commitment to serving the region stating, “Northern Kenya is as good as any other part of Kenya, and that is why we must connect electricity, water, and road networks and ensure that the children of the north are not treated differently from those in other parts of the country.”