CS Ruku urges Kenyans to collect unclaimed IDs at Huduma centres

Public Service CS  Geoffrey Ruku speaking to journalists outside the Garissa county commissioners office. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Public Service CS  Geoffrey Ruku has called on Kenyans who applied for national identity cards but are yet to collect them to do so immediately, saying thousands of processed IDs remain unclaimed at Huduma Centres across the country.

The CS spoke during a visit to the Huduma Centre Garissa, where he was accompanied by senior national government officials, including Mohamed Mwabudzo.

During the inspection tour, the officials found hundreds of uncollected identity cards at the facility.

Ruku said the problem is widespread and not unique to Garissa, noting that thousands of IDs are lying uncollected in Huduma Centres nationwide.

“We have more than 4,000 IDs which have not been collected at this Huduma Centre. And it is not only this Huduma Centre, but in all Huduma Centres in the Republic of Kenya, we have many IDs which have not been collected,” said the CS.

Public Service CS  Geoffrey Ruku interacts with residents of Garissa who had south services at the Huduma center. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

He urged Kenyans who had completed the registration process to return to the centres where they applied and pick up their identification documents.

“Wherever you are in Kenya, if you registered for an ID, please go back to where you registered and collect your ID,” he said.

Ruku further encouraged young people collecting their IDs for the first time to also register as voters, saying national identification documents are key to civic participation and access to government services.

Public Service CS  Geoffrey Ruku at the Garissa Huduma center./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

“After you pick your ID, ensure you have registered as a voter of the Republic of Kenya,” he added.

At the same time, the CS dismissed claims by some political leaders that the government was withholding identity cards from applicants.

He maintained that the processing and issuance system was functioning normally through the National Registration Bureau.

“Once Huduma Centres take the details of whoever wants to get an ID, there is a back office at the National Registration Bureau which processes the IDs before they are released,” he explained.

Public Service CS  Geoffrey Ruku at the Garissa Huduma center./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Ruku also issued a stern warning against any attempts to disrupt operations at Huduma Centres.

Two weeks ago, impeached former Deputy presient Rigathi Gachagua threatened to mobilize youths to occupy government offices, including Huduma Centres and the Office of the Registrar of Persons, due to  what he termed as alleged discrimination in the issuance of national identity cards (IDs).

The CS criticized the remarks, saying they were reckless and misleading.

“You have no basis for storming Huduma Centres. Let Kenyans go and collect their IDs because many of them are ready,” he said.

Last month, Mohamed Mwabudzo similarly raised concerns over the increasing number of processed identity cards that remain unclaimed in Garissa County.

Public Service CS  Geoffrey Ruku at the Garissa Huduma center./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

The county commissioner said thousands of IDs had been lying at collection centres for months despite government efforts to streamline the application and issuance process.

He urged residents to collect the documents promptly, noting that national identity cards are essential for accessing government services, employment opportunities and voter registration.