PS Kipsang raises concern as over 462,000 ready IDs remain uncollected

PS for Immigration and Citizen Services, Belio Kipsang speaking in Eldoret on April 2nd 2026

Immigration and Citizen Services PS Belio Kipsang says more than 462,000 IDs remain uncollected at registration centres countrywide.

The PS says they are now sensitising chiefs and other government officers to help in the delivery and collection of the IDs by the applicants.

Kipsang said the chiefs have been asked to take the IDs to the nearest collection points so that they are easily accessible by the applicants.

The PS was speaking in Eldoret during a sensitisation meeting for chiefs in the county on the guidelines on identification and registration of persons.

Kipsang said following the abolition of vetting for ID applicants by President Ruto, an alternative way had to be put in place to help identify Kenyans who deserve to benefit from national IDs and other government documents.

“Chiefs and their assistants are the only ones who are not transferable, and they have a better understanding of people living within their jurisdictions”, said Kipsang.

Kipsang asked all Kenyans who applied for the IDs to collect them and use them to get government services, and also register as voters.

He said so far sensitised chiefs in 27 counties, and after Uasin Gishu, he headed to Nandi for the same exercise.

PS Kipsang said the sensitisation was going on along with mobile registration of persons, which had so far been done in six counties, including Narok, West Pokot, Baringo, Turkana, and Elgeyo Marakwet.

He said the mobile registration was now heading to Kajiado, then Isiolo, Samburu and Marsabit.

He said the counties being covered first were those initially affected by vetting/

“These are counties which have inaccessible terrain with residents who can not easily reach the registration centres,” said Kipsang.

He said the government had so far acquired 56 vehicles for the mobile registration exercise and also ordered 600 live capture equipment, out of which 200 had been delivered.

“We are now leveraging technology to improve service delivery, and currently, there are no queues even at Nyayo House”, said Kipsang.

He said it now takes no more than 7 days to get a national ID, and with technology, the exercise would be further improved.

”We are ensuring that even if it's through manual application, the IDs have to be ready within 7 days”, said Kipsang.

Kipsang said Uasin Gishu had more than 16,000 uncollected IDs, out of which half were for first-time applicants

The PS said the IDs were important in helping Kenyans register for SHA, among other government programmes, including online services that benefit mostly youth.