National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called on Bungoma County administrators to eliminate unnecessary vetting hurdles in the issuance of National Identity Cards (IDs), aligning with President William Ruto’s recent directive aimed at easing access across the country.
Speaking at his home in Bungoma while hosting local leaders and administrators, Wetang’ula emphasized that the presidential order, initially issued in North Eastern Kenya, applies nationwide and is intended to remove colonial-era barriers that have long denied many Kenyans access to IDs.
“I want to clarify that the directive is not limited to North Eastern. It is for all Kenyans,” Wetang’ula said. “Most youths shy away from applying because of the unnecessary restrictions. We even have Kenyans over 60 without IDs because of these hurdles.” He added.
The Speaker urged chiefs and their assistants to intensify efforts to mobilize eligible citizens, particularly the youth, to apply for IDs. He also disclosed plans to decentralize ID registration services to ease access, though printing will remain centralized.
Wetang’ula challenged political leaders to leverage the directive to boost voter registration in Bungoma, targeting an increase from the current 600,000 to one million registered voters.
In addition, he addressed key development concerns, announcing that the government has set aside Kshs 1.5 billion to complete stalled road projects in Bungoma within the next three weeks. He also confirmed plans to lease the financially struggling Nzoia Sugar Company to a private investor, with conditions to protect farmers’ interests, including payment of dues and a bonus program.
Governor Kenneth Lusaka, Senator Wafula Wakoli, and several MPs voiced support for the leasing plan, calling it a crucial step in reviving the region’s economy.
Wetang’ula further encouraged residents to diversify into coffee farming and to enroll in the government’s new Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme to benefit from affordable healthcare.
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