Decentralise registration of national IDs, Mps say

MP’s have today (Wednesday) started debating on the motion seeking to decentralise the registration of national identification cards.

According to Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa who sponsored the motion, the National Government should decentralise the registration of ID’s to the county level to expedite the process and allow eligible Kenyans to acquire them on time.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is currently experiencing challenges in the registration of voters due to slow acquisition of ID’s by eligible voters.

This comes just days after Former Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia called on Kenyans to ensure they collect their identification cards (IDs) since it is a constitutional right adding that the document will enable them participate in the upcoming polls.

Kimemia added that it is against the law for anyone who has attained the age of 18 years to fail to apply for an ID card, adding that this would also deny them opportunities to register as voters.

On Tuesday, Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka directed all Wiper leaders including governors, senators, MCAs and aspirants to set aside the next 15 days and lead in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

Kalonzo, through national executive council (NEC) resolutions read by Secretary General Omar Hassan on Tuesday, said the 15-day window should be used to advocate for mass registration of their supporters as voters in readiness for the 2017 elections.