Residents living in the North Eastern region and other marginalized parts of Kenya will now be able to get their national ID cards just three days after applying. This is after the government introduced a new system that will fast-track the process, according to Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Speaking during a visit to Lodwar on Wednesday, Murkomen said that the government is currently testing special machines that can register and process IDs quickly. These machines, called Mobile Live Capture Units, are small, battery-powered, and can be moved from one place to another with ease.
“They are designed to reach communities in remote areas who often face challenges accessing government services. The machines take applicants’ fingerprints, photos and other details, then send the data electronically for processing,” Murkomen said.
He added that once the information is captured, the IDs will be processed and delivered within three working days. This is a big change from the usual waiting period which could stretch into weeks or even months for people in hard-to-reach areas.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen during a past function. Photo: Nation Source: X
The pilot phase is already ongoing in Turkana County, where about 400,000 adults still lack ID cards. Murkomen said the feedback from the pilot programme has been promising and the plan is to roll out the machines to other counties soon.
Among the counties expected to benefit are Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Kilifi, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Taita Taveta, Lamu, West Pokot, Tana River, Narok and Kwale.
Murkomen said the new machines will not only speed up the registration process but also bring dignity and fairness to citizens who have for a long time been left out due to insecurity or lack of infrastructure.
“An ID is more than just a card. It gives you access to healthcare, education, banking, employment and voting. Without it, many Kenyans are locked out of opportunities,” he noted.
The Interior Ministry is working closely with local leaders to make sure the machines reach the right people. Residents are also being urged to show up in large numbers once the machines arrive in their areas.
Murkomen said that once the pilot phase ends, full deployment across the targeted counties will begin. This move, he added, is part of the government’s plan to promote equal access to services for all Kenyans, regardless of where they live.
