President William Ruto has made a significant announcement regarding the national ID card application process for members of specific ethnic groups, effective from May 2024.
The process, which has historically involved vetting procedures, particularly affecting individuals from communities such as Asians, Arabs, and Nubians who are not categorized as ‘indigenous,’ will be abolished.
For years, this requirement has been criticized for promoting ethnic and religious discrimination within the government’s operations.
While addressing Muslim leaders during an Iftar dinner at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto emphasized the government’s commitment to ending discriminatory practices.
“Every Kenyan should be treated equally. We have revised the old policy and finalized the necessary documents. Starting May this year, there will be no vetting for individuals seeking to obtain their IDs,” Ruto stated.
He further assured the Muslim leaders of issuing a policy document to ensure fairness and eliminate discrimination based on religion or region.
The affected individuals predominantly belong to Kenyan communities of Somali, Arab, Nubian, and Asian heritage.
Under the previous system, during the ID application process upon reaching the age of 18, individuals were subjected to additional requirements, including providing birth certificates for their parents and grandparents.
A 2011 report by the U.S.-based Open Society Justice Initiative highlighted that since the introduction of vetting procedures in the 1990s, many individuals from these communities have faced challenges in acquiring national IDs.
