House Team Raises Alarm Over ID Delays and Backlog in Kiambu Inspection

Members of the National Assembly have raised fresh concerns over persistent delays in the processing of national identity cards and a growing backlog of uncollected IDs following an oversight visit to parts of Kiambu County.

The inspection, conducted in Limuru and Lari sub-counties, was led by the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security as part of its budget oversight programme. The delegation was headed by Saku MP Dido Ali Rasso and included committee chairperson Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West), Peter Masara (Suna West), Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town), and Lari MP Mburu Kahangara.

Officials from the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services attributed the delays to operational challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, system failures, and logistical bottlenecks affecting service delivery under the National Registration Bureau.

Eric Mwaura, Principal Registration Officer in Limuru, revealed that the sub-county currently holds a backlog of about 2,000 uncollected national IDs. He warned that the situation poses both financial and security risks.

“These IDs could fall into the wrong hands, and at the same time represent a waste of public resources,” Mwaura said.

Lawmakers questioned the lack of a clear policy governing how long IDs should remain uncollected and what measures are in place to ensure they reach their rightful owners.

The committee heard that while first-time applicants typically wait about a month to receive their IDs, replacements take between 21 and 25 days—timelines that are often extended due to frequent system downtimes.

Officials also cited delays in the supply of essential registration materials, including forms and fingerprint kits, which are centrally procured in Nairobi. These supply gaps frequently disrupt operations at local offices.

Additionally, the absence of an automated notification system has contributed to the accumulation of uncollected IDs. Mwaura proposed the introduction of SMS alerts to notify applicants when their documents are ready, a move expected to reduce congestion and unnecessary travel.

The MPs also flagged staffing shortages, limited office space, and lack of basic equipment such as computers and secure storage facilities as key barriers to efficiency.

In Limuru, rising demand driven by job seekers attracted to tea estates and nearby industries has placed further strain on registration services. According to officials, the office receives between 30 and 50 new ID applications daily, alongside up to 30 replacement requests.

Legislators also questioned the continued use of vetting-like procedures, particularly affecting applicants from border regions, despite the official abolition of vetting committees in 2024.

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma criticized the process, saying it continues to lock out legitimate applicants.

“Some people apply, get rejected after a year, and are forced to restart the process. Others grow old without ever obtaining an ID. This is a denial of a constitutional right,” he said.

Kaluma further condemned requirements that compel married women to seek parental consent during registration, describing them as outdated and discriminatory.

Meanwhile, Lari MP Mburu Kahangara noted that local interventions—such as involving chiefs in tracing applicants—have helped reduce uncollected IDs in his constituency. However, he said Limuru faces a more complex challenge due to its diverse population.

The committee also assessed civil registration services, where officials reported similar constraints, including poor infrastructure, unreliable internet connectivity, and delays in data submission from agents such as hospitals and assistant chiefs.

At the Kiambu West Civil Registry in Limuru, officers reported issuing over 3,900 birth certificates and 577 death certificates since the beginning of the year, despite ongoing operational challenges.

In Lari, officials cited shortages of materials, inadequate office space, and limited staff training as major obstacles to effective service delivery.

Lawmakers have now called for increased funding, digitisation of registration systems, and better integration between civil registration and national ID services to eliminate duplication and delays.

They also recommended the deployment of mobile registration units and expanded public awareness campaigns to improve ID uptake and timely collection.

The committee is expected to compile a comprehensive report with policy recommendations aimed at streamlining registration processes and improving access to identification documents across Kenya.