The process of acquiring a national identity card (ID) has long been a major challenge for many Kenyans.
While some experience long delays before receiving their IDs, those living near the country’s borders have faced even greater difficulties. For them, obtaining an ID or passport has felt like a gamble, with no guarantee of success.
However, President William Ruto has now abolished the secondary vetting process that has made life difficult for residents of border regions, particularly those living near Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda.
For years, ethnic Somalis in Kenya have endured a complicated and often frustrating vetting process before they could receive an ID or passport.
The government has defended these extra steps, citing national security concerns. The process was carried out by a multi-agency security team that included officials from the National Intelligence Service (NIS), local chiefs, police officers, and community elders.
To get an ID, applicants had to provide a long list of documents, including their grandparents’ national IDs, and even find witnesses to testify about their Kenyan birth.
These extra requirements were only imposed on Kenyan Somalis, despite the fact that the law under the Registration of Persons Act states that all Kenyan citizens only need to provide proof of birth—such as a birth certificate, baptismal card, or birth notification—and evidence of citizenship through their parents’ Kenyan ID or passport.
President Ruto Ends Extra Vetting
On February 5, 2025, President Ruto officially scrapped the additional vetting requirements for border communities. While making the announcement in Wajir town, he abolished the so-called “Nairobi process,” a system that had caused long delays in issuing national IDs.
“We want the people of Northern Kenya to feel equal to the rest of the country,” Ruto declared.
However, this does not mean that vetting will be completely removed.
The president clarified that all vetting must now be conducted legally and at the local level. Under the new rules, any Kenyan applying for an ID in border areas must have a Kenyan adult vouch for them.
This move aims to encourage citizens to look out for one another and help authorities prevent non-citizens from fraudulently obtaining Kenyan documents.
“If there must be vetting, then let all Kenyan children be vetted equally, without any form of discrimination,” President Ruto emphasized.
Who Benefits from This Directive?
The president’s decision will have a major impact on communities living in border areas such as Moyale, Mandera, Isiolo, Wajir, Liboi, Busia, and Malaba.
Many people in these regions have struggled for years to obtain national IDs, missing out on crucial opportunities in education, employment, and business due to the delays.
In addition to making the process fairer, Ruto’s directive aims to curb corruption, which has thrived under the previous system. Many Kenyans have been forced to pay bribes just to receive documents that are their legal right.
By streamlining the process, the government hopes to eliminate unnecessary delays and ensure that IDs are issued in a timely manner.
Safeguarding National Security
Although the extra vetting process has been abolished, the government is still committed to protecting Kenya from illegal migration and security threats.
Security agencies, including the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the regular police, will play a key role in ensuring that non-citizens do not take advantage of the relaxed process to fraudulently obtain Kenyan documents.
The Ministry of Interior has been tasked with closely monitoring the implementation of these new rules while ensuring that Kenya remains secure. The government is balancing the need for efficiency and fairness with the responsibility of preventing illegal migration and potential security risks.
A Step Towards Equality
For many Kenyans, this directive marks a significant step toward fairness and inclusivity. It acknowledges the struggles that some communities have faced for decades and seeks to correct a system that has been widely criticized as discriminatory.
By ensuring that all citizens are treated equally in the process of obtaining IDs, the government is reinforcing the principle that every Kenyan, regardless of where they live, deserves the same rights and opportunities.
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