Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over ID Delays, Resource Gaps in Sotik

Lawmakers have raised concerns over persistent delays in the issuance of national identification documents in Sotik Constituency, citing inadequate resources, poor infrastructure, and policy implementation gaps.

The concerns emerged during an oversight visit by the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, led by Dido Raso Ali. The team was in the area to assess the registration processes for birth certificates, death certificates, and national identity cards.

The delegation included Peter Masara, Peter Kaluma, and Mburu Kahangara, who engaged officials from the National Registration Bureau and the Civil Registration Department. Officials reported both progress and ongoing operational challenges.

Sotik Sub-County Principal Registrar Peris Kogei told MPs that recent policy changes—such as the removal of vetting requirements and application fees—had significantly increased the number of applicants. However, she noted that limited resources were slowing service delivery.

Out of a target of 6,800 new ID registrations, the office has processed about 4,059, while 744 duplicate IDs have been handled against a target of 1,200.

“The numbers have gone up because most residents are farmers, and the removal of charges has encouraged more people to apply,” Kogei said.

Despite the progress, she highlighted major logistical constraints, including insufficient funding, lack of materials, and poor infrastructure.

“Sometimes we are given as little as Sh10,000 to run operations across all divisions, including transport and printing. That is not sufficient,” she said.

The office handles between 70 and 150 applicants daily but struggles with unreliable internet connectivity, limited office space, and inadequate equipment. It is currently housed within a correctional facility, further straining operations.

Kogei also revealed that more than 5,600 processed IDs remain uncollected, largely due to the transient nature of applicants. While local residents often receive IDs through chiefs, many applicants relocate and fail to return.

Processing an ID takes an average of 21 working days, though delays occur in cases requiring additional verification.

Lawmakers also questioned the continued requirement for parental identification documents, even when applicants present valid birth certificates.

Kaluma challenged the policy, arguing that a birth certificate should be sufficient proof of citizenship.

“If I already have a birth certificate issued through a credible government process, why should I still be required to produce my parents’ IDs?” he asked.

He called for policy reforms to simplify the process, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly.

However, Kogei defended the requirement, stating that supporting documents are necessary to verify identity, especially in complex cases involving missing records or inter-community backgrounds.

The committee also explored the possibility of integrating registration services with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to streamline voter registration.

Kaluma proposed that applicants be automatically registered as voters upon receiving their IDs, emphasizing the need for better coordination between government systems.

On civil registration, Sotik Civil Registrar Phoebe Ojalla reported that about 90 percent of births are recorded. However, death registration remains a challenge, particularly for deaths occurring at home or en route to hospitals.

Concerns were also raised about digitisation and data protection. Raso warned that while digital systems improve efficiency, they also pose risks to sensitive personal data if not properly secured.

He further noted that poor connectivity to central databases forces officers to rely on manual communication, slowing verification processes.

Despite the challenges, the committee commended local officers for their dedication and professionalism.

“We are impressed by their level of knowledge and commitment. Some issues require policy intervention, while others can be addressed administratively,” Raso said.

The committee is expected to compile its findings and propose reforms aimed at improving access to identification services across the country.