Thousands of uncollected IDs lying in Huduma Centres as Ruku dismisses opposition storm threat

Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has dismissed threats by the opposition to mobilise Kenyans to storm Huduma Centres over delays in the release of national identity cards, insisting that thousands of processed IDs remain uncollected across the country.

Speaking during a tour of the North Eastern regional offices in Garissa, Ruku said the government has already processed and dispatched thousands of national identity cards to Huduma Centres and other government offices, where they are awaiting collection by applicants.

He urged Kenyans who have applied for the documents to visit their nearest Huduma Centre and collect them instead of listening to what he termed as misleading political statements.

The CS maintained that no Kenyan has been barred from collecting a national identification card and reiterated that the government has not imposed any restrictions on the issuance or collection of IDs.

According to him, all applicants should freely collect their documents once they are ready.

Ruku further explained that national identity cards are generated and processed by the National Bureau of Registration and not at Huduma Centres, saying it was therefore wrong for politicians to incite the public and spread misinformation regarding the process.

“The IDs are available in Huduma Centres and other government offices. Kenyans should simply go and collect them,” said the CS.

Ruku further dared the opposition to attempt to disrupt operations at Huduma Centres, saying the government would not allow what he described as cheap politics to interfere with quality service delivery across the country.

He emphasised that Huduma Centres exist to serve wananchi efficiently and should not be turned into political battlegrounds.

The CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring every eligible Kenyan acquires a national identity card without discrimination or unnecessary delays.

He also called on public officers handling registration services to continue serving wananchi diligently and to uphold efficient service delivery in all parts of the country.

Ruku reiterated that the government remains focused on improving public service delivery and urged Kenyans to avoid politicising national registration processes that are meant to benefit all citizens equally.