Activists in Garissa have raised concern over prolonged delays in the issuance of national identity cards, saying the removal of mandatory vetting has eased applications but has not resolved longstanding access challenges.
The rights defenders spoke during a procession in Garissa town to mark the International Day of Identity, organised by Haki Na Sheria.
Haki Na Sheria Programme Manager Barre Aden welcomed the government’s decision to scrap the additional vetting requirement in February 2024, but said applicants were still waiting between six and seven months to receive their identity cards.
Aden said limited access to registration offices was compounding the delays, noting that only Garissa and Ijara currently have fully functional registration offices.
He called for the establishment of additional registration centres and faster processing of applications, particularly for young people who need identity documents to register as voters ahead of the next general election.
Residents and rights defenders who attended the event echoed concerns over lengthy waiting periods.
Fatuma Ahmed said applicants continued to endure long delays, while Noor Bashir raised concerns over cases where lists containing hundreds of applicants whose cards are ready remain pending at headquarters.
Assistant County Commissioner Mohamed Mohamud said demand for identity cards had increased significantly following the abolition of vetting.
Mohamud said live-capture registration units had now been deployed across all sub-counties to improve access to the service.
He also disclosed that 4,110 identity cards remained uncollected at the Garissa Huduma Centre, with chiefs assisting in reaching beneficiaries and encouraging them to collect their documents and register as voters.
Despite the end of the vetting requirement, applicants are still required to provide documents including a birth certificate, a parent’s identity card and a letter from the area chief, alongside checks involving the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the National Intelligence Service.
Activists argue that the documentation requirements, lengthy processing periods and limited number of registration offices continue to create barriers for residents seeking identity documents.
They have called for further reforms to ensure that the removal of vetting translates into faster and more accessible issuance of identity cards across Garissa County.
