Nairobi, 26th October 2023 (Governor’s Press Service)
The State Department of Immigration and Citizen Services has unveiled plans for a massive identity card (ID) registration exercise set to take place from mid-November to mid-December this year.
Principal Secretary for the Department Prof Amb. Julius Bitok announced this during a meeting today in Nairobi with Turkana leaders led by Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai.
The initiative targets the registration of at least 100,000 individuals within Turkana County, including elderly citizens who have yet to obtain their identification documents.
The PS said the registration drive is expected to grant beneficiaries access to government social programs, notably the Inua Jamii Program, improving their overall quality of life.
He added that the Department will expand and streamline the network of registration centers throughout the county. This expansion is not only aimed at ensuring the effective execution of the registration but also at creating job opportunities for the county’s young population.
Governor Lomorukai emphasized the County Government’s commitment to collaborate with the Office of the County Commissioner to guarantee the efficiency of this registration process.
In addition to increasing its registration staff, the State Department will enhance working conditions and allocate five additional vehicles to facilitate staff mobility, ensuring the smooth progress of the registration drive.
The leaders were informed of plans establish immigration offices in Turkana, a measure that is expected to bolster security and deter the illegal proliferation of arms and individuals within the county.
The department has committed that as part of this initiative, the ID card application process is set to become significantly faster. Applicants can expect a maximum waiting period of 21 days from the time of registration to the issuance of their ID cards. These new IDs will be part of the third generation of Kenyan identification documents.
The State Department is also working to rectify double registrations, which will enable residents of Turkana who had previously held Refugee Cards to obtain their National ID Cards, allowing them to engage in business and employment opportunities as Kenyan citizens.
In summary, this meeting between Turkana leaders and State Department officials signals a substantial commitment to improving access to identification and citizenship services for Turkana County residents. The upcoming mass registration drive, along with the introduction of more efficient processes, is expected to benefit both the community and the county’s development.
Leaders present were Protus Akuja (Loima), Woman Rep Cicilia Asinyen, Nicholas Ngikor Ngikolong (Turkana East), Emathe Namuar (Turkana Central) and MCA for Lodwar Township Ruth Kuya.
Officials accompanying the PS were Secretaries James K. Kianda, MBS (Administration) Christopher Wanjau (National Registration Bureau) and Director Legal Jack Okula.
