Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has highlighted sweeping government reforms aimed at making national identification documents accessible to all Kenyans, particularly those from historically marginalised regions. Speaking during a mass national ID registration drive in Masara, Suna West Constituency in Migori County, Dr. Omollo said the government, under the leadership of William Ruto, had dismantled long-standing bureaucratic and financial barriers that had locked out thousands of citizens from acquiring identity cards.
End to Extra Vetting Requirements
Dr. Omollo revealed that the government has abolished the extra vetting process that for decades made it difficult for residents of counties such as Homa Bay, Siaya, Busia, Garissa and Mandera to obtain national IDs. According to the PS, the move ensures equal treatment of all citizens regardless of their region of origin.
President Ruto removed the requirement for additional vetting so that residents of these counties can access identification documents just like any other Kenyan
PS Raymond OmolloID Application Fees Scrapped
In another major policy shift, the government has also eliminated application and replacement fees for national ID cards. Dr. Omollo noted that this decision has removed financial obstacles that previously discouraged many Kenyans from registering. As a result, citizens across the country can now acquire identification documents without cost, significantly expanding national registration coverage.
Boost for Service Delivery and Civic Participation
The registration exercise in Masara attracted hundreds of residents, underscoring strong public demand for identity documents. Dr. Omollo said wider ID coverage would enhance government planning and improve service delivery at both national and county levels. He also emphasized the civic importance of the exercise, noting that a national ID is a prerequisite for voter registration and participation in democratic processes.
Political Implications Ahead of 2027 Polls
During his address, the Interior PS openly linked the registration drive to the political landscape, stating that leaders from the region had pledged support for President Ruto’s re-election in the 2027 General Election.
Because President Ruto has delivered over the last three years and continues to deliver, we have agreed with leaders from this region that we will support him for a second term
PS Raymond OmolloBackground: Why Vetting Existed
In February 2025, President Ruto signed a proclamation scrapping a 60-year-old vetting requirement for residents of border counties seeking ID cards. The rule had been introduced in the 1960s following the Shifta insurgency, a secessionist conflict in Northern Kenya that raised security concerns at the time. The recent decision, viewed by analysts as both a governance and political strategy, came shortly after a High Court ruling in Garissa ordered a fresh population census for several counties in the North Eastern region.
