Belio Kipsang: 11 million Kenyans with ID but not registered as voters

Talking of figures, how many new people have been registered since this administration took office, and what is the target going into the 2027 polls?

In the last three years of this administration, we have issued 4.1 million IDs to new applicants. In the last six months alone, we issued about 1.6 million IDs.In total, over the past three and a half years, 7.3 million IDs have been issued, including replacements. We project an additional three million new IDs by June next year and aim to reach six to seven million new Kenyans within five years.

The numbers are quite impressive. What is it that pushes the growing demand for IDs from your assessment?

Citizenship documents are very important. We issue various documents: national IDs, passports, birth certificates, death certificates, foreign national IDs and refugee IDs. These documents are crucial for citizens and residents alike. Even if someone is not a citizen but resides in the country, they need to be identified, and there must be documentation we can rely on when needed. The demand naturally rises as we approach elections because more people want to participate in governance. Additionally, programmes such as Nyota– targeting the youth–, changes in university funding, scholarships, Boma Yangu registration and the SHA programme have all contributed to the high demand.

What do the registration figures tell the government about the voting population in the country?

We have more than 32 million – if we net out those who may have passed on, it would mean we have between 31 to 32 million Kenyans who are registered and alive. So it means there are 10 to 11 million people who have not registered as voters. Today, we have 22 million Kenyans who are registered as voters. It is our responsibility, all of us, including yourselves in the media, to encourage Kenyans to register as voters so they can also make decision on who leads this country.

What is your ministry doing to ensure that everyone of age obtains the citizenship documents?

The government removed the Sh300 we were charging for initial registration. Last year, the President again removed the Sh1,000 we were charging for replacement. This has motivated more people either to replace their lost IDs or get new IDs for those who are attaining either 18 years or those who may not have acquired the IDs. Mobile registration in schools will also allow students turning 18 to receive IDs without travelling long distances. These reforms not only provide essential documentation but also enable citizens to access government services such as subsidised fertilisers, Boma Yangu, SHA registration, youth loans and scholarships.Starting June, we are working with our service providers so we shall be issuing notification when the documents arrive in Nairobi. When it is printed, it tells you your ID has been printed go back to where you registered and collect it. Already we are doing that with the passports, once you apply for your passport, it will tell you it has been received. These are the efficiencies that we are bringing in so we can make sure Kenyans get services, which are dependent on these very critical and vital documents.

We have seen old people, some in their 70s, showing up to get registered for IDs. Where was the lapse?

There are people who are as old as 80 years who are still getting IDs, mainly those who are in the border counties. Most of them, mainly women, feared going before vetting committees because they thought they may be excluded. The other day, we were in Nyahururu and we registered three women who were 80 years and above. We got quite a number of people who were 70 plus, who did not have IDs. It is important we continuously make it easy for Kenyans to acquire these documents.

Looking at the patterns, is it fair to conclude that some parts of the country had been denied these services?

I cannot say they were denied. I can only say the mechanisms and the guidelines were different then. The only thing I can say is that quite a number of people were disadvantaged. They may not have been denied, but they were disadvantaged.

To what extent is the government using learning institutions to provide IDs?

We have almost a million students in our schools who have attained the age of 18 years. In second term, we shall be rolling out mobile registration in schools so these students can get their IDs. I remember some of us, even myself, I got my ID in high school. You can imagine if you are in Marsabit High School and you come from Loiyangalani, it is a whole 500 kilometres. If you don't get your ID in school, the probability of you getting one becomes very difficult.

For years, border counties have complained that acquisition of national identification documents was made extremely difficult, especially due to mandatory vetting. How is the government dealing with this?

Previously, vetting committees in border counties created disparities. Pastoralist communities and those in arid and semi-arid areas had to go through additional vetting, which was cumbersome and discriminatory. The President removed these committees, and new guidelines now empower chiefs and assistant chiefs to confirm identities using their thumbprints. This system ensures there is personal accountability and reduces discrimination. Multi-agency teams still monitor and validate new information, ensuring integrity is maintained and only rightful applicants receive documents. We have also focused on hard-to-reach counties. These include Turkana, Samburu, West Pokot, Marsabit, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Migori, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia. Mobile registration and live capture equipment have made it possible to issue IDs even in remote locations. The system now has a turnaround time of seven days.

There are those who say the government is lowering the bar with regard to vetting, especially in border counties and documents may land in the wrong hands. How is this being handled?

The system addresses concerns about security and collusion. Chiefs and assistant chiefs take personal responsibility with their thumbprints, multi-agency teams verify information, and parents or next of kin confirm identities. These measures ensure IDs, passports and other critical documents maintain their integrity, benefiting only rightful citizens.

 Is the issue of uncollected IDs still a challenge?

It is still a challenge. We have 460,000 IDs that are yet to be collected.

There was once a suggestion by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (deceased) to allow Kenyans vote using their IDs. What is your take on this?

This will require some legislation, and I think our parliamentarians should take it up because it will reduce on cost. One will only be required to indicate to IEBC his or her voting centre. In short, the idea requires some legislation to provide legal framework.