Africa-Press – Kenya. Nominated MP Naomi Waqo has said there is widespread discrimination in issuance of national IDs for new applicants in Marsabit county. The legislator said school leavers seeking identity cards to apply for university or college education or funding from the Higher Education Loans Board are the worst hit.
“The issue of students’ identity cards negates the university’s provision, which states that students must identify themselves by providing identity cards whenever required.
Waqo, who was seeking a statement from National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs, said new applicants are denied the cards based on their ethnicity.
“Travelling becomes a challenge due to lack of an identity card, which is a mandatory pass at various police checkpoints along Moyale-Isiolo Road,” she said.
The legislator further added that those applying for lost or misplaced cards are also forced to wait for long before they can be issued with new cards.
“The delays may endanger the wellbeing of the applicants and their families,” she said. Waqo wants the Ministry of Interior to explain measures put in place to ensure that new applicants obtain identity cards promptly.
In October, residents of Moyale and Sololo subcounties in Marsabit county accused the government of discrimination in the issuance of identity cards. They said chiefs and their assistants have made it impossible for them to acquire the documents.
Residents said the administrators demand unnecessary documents to frustrate their efforts to get IDs. In his response, county registration boss Kennedy Nyaega denied claims that residents of Moyale have been denied IDs. Nyaega said their officers are doing their best to issue IDs across the county.
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