Village-level ID drive targets thousands left out in Kisumu

Thousands of residents in Kisumu County are taking advantage of a government-led village registration drive aimed at ensuring all adults have national identity cards, a key step toward access to services and voter registration.

Advocate Joshua Nyamori, a member of the National Housing Corporation board, praised the initiative, saying it addresses longstanding challenges that have left many residents without IDs.

“These are people who have reached adulthood but have never obtained IDs due to structural problems,” Nyamori said in Kobura Ward, where the exercise was held.

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He added, “Some live far from registration centres, while others must choose between earning a living and travelling long distances to apply for an ID.”

Nyamori highlighted that in the past, residents faced repeated frustrations due to a lack of forms, absent officers, transport issues, and long processing delays.

He thanked President William Ruto and the Ministry of Interior, particularly the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, for mobilising officers to conduct village-level registration.

“For Kisumu and the wider Lake Region, this exercise is critical. IDs are not only for voting, but they are also essential for accessing government services and for national planning,” he said.

Nyamori noted disparities in voter registration, pointing out that while Nyeri County has registered 58 per cent of eligible voters, Kisumu has registered only 49 per cent.

He said the county’s goal is to raise this to 58 per cent within six months, which would increase the voter roll to about 800,000 people. Francis Owuor, Principal Public Communication Officer in the Office of the Deputy President, said ID registration is central to inclusion both administratively and financially.

“The ID is the most important document for citizens. Without it, people cannot access government services,” he said.

Officials within Kadibo Sub-county explained that the exercise targets almost universal ID coverage for all citizens aged 18 and above, particularly those who struggle to reach Huduma Centres.

The administrator noted that IEBC officers were also on site registering voters.

“We want even those in their 70s who have never had an ID to get one today,” said an official, noting that possession of a national ID is required for government programmes such as the Nyota youth fund, scholarships, and other social support services.

The registration drive is part of a national effort to improve citizen inclusion and participation, with officials urging all eligible residents to take advantage of the ongoing exercise.