Homa bay: More than one million Kenyans aged 30 years and above are living without national identification cards, Interior Cabinet Secretary Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed. Speaking Tuesday in Homa Bay, Murkomen warned that the lack of identification documents has locked many citizens out of crucial rights and services, including employment, access to the Social Health Authority (SHA), and the ability to vote.
According to Kenya News Agency, Murkomen emphasized the importance of national IDs for accessing various rights and benefits within the country. He urged collaboration to ensure every citizen is identified and can access essential services. Murkomen directed chiefs across the country to take proactive measures, identifying residents without IDs, including persons with disabilities, and assisting them in obtaining the necessary documents.
At the same event, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo highlighted that the issue extends beyond adults. He pointed out that many children, especially those born outside health facilities, remain undocumented. Omollo emphasized that identification efforts need to include all categories, such as persons with disabilities and minors, to ensure equal access to opportunities. He stressed that identification is not solely for those who turn 18, but should also encompass PWDs and children, particularly in areas like Homa Bay and other counties.