Mass registration exercise offers relief to Mombasa residents seeking ID issuance
For years, residents in various informal settlements across Mombasa have been grappling with prolonged wait times, missing documents, and complicated procedures to obtain their IDs.
Thousands of Mombasa residents seeking to acquire national identity cards have been handed a relief after years of bureaucratic delays, thanks to a joint Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) by the County and National Governments.
For years, residents in various informal settlements across Mombasa have been grappling with prolonged wait times, missing documents, and complicated procedures to obtain their IDs, a crucial document for accessing government services, education, and employment.
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“I first applied for my ID in 2019. They kept saying my fingerprints were not clear and told me to come back every other month. Now, I have finally submitted everything again through this new programme, and I have been told I will get it soon,” said 22-year-old Halima Salim from Tudor.
The countywide registration exercise, which kicked off on May 7, is part of an aggressive effort by authorities to bridge the gap in documentation, especially for youths and marginalised communities. Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to taking services directly to the people.
“This is a promise we are fulfilling by bringing the government to all 30 wards. We started in Mvita and will be moving through Jomvu, Changamwe, Kisauni, Nyali, and Likoni,” said Governor Abdulswamad.
Local leaders have also echoed the call for residents to take full advantage of the initiative. Tudor Location Chief Mwaka Said Babu highlighted the importance of grassroots access to government services.
“We are grateful this has reached our communities. Many young people here never had the chance to register earlier due to a lack of support or documentation,” said Chief Mwaka Said.
“Now, with help from the administration and awareness from local chiefs and administrators, more are coming forward.”
Mombasa residents during the Mass Registration IDs exercise in Mvita Sub County. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)
The RRI has so far seen hundreds of applicants flock to designated registration centres, including chief’s offices, social halls, and schools.
Required documents include a birth certificate or clinic card, school records, and copies of parents’ IDs. For orphans, a death certificate or baptism card is acceptable.
In Old Town, Zulekha Noor, 42, expressed relief after helping her teenage daughter apply for the first time. “My daughter turned 18 last year, but we kept on postponing when we would go acquire the document since her birth certificate was misplaced years ago. This exercise brought the help we needed right to our doorstep,” she said.
Brian Otieno, 19, noted that the officers helped him find a way to use his school records. “I lost my parents at a young age and never thought I would get an ID without their documents,” he said.
Currently, the exercise is in Jomvu, where the turnout has also been significant.
Registration sites include Kajembe High, Jomvu Girls, and the Mikindani Chief’s Office, among others.
A similar momentum is expected as the programme heads to Changamwe, Kisauni, Nyali, and Likoni in the coming days.
“I have seen queues at our chief’s office like never before,” said Saumu Abdalla, a ward official in Changamwe
According to Saumu, the exercise, “It shows how badly people needed this help.”
The exercise will run through May 22, with each sub-county allocated specific days.
Residents are reminded to bring all necessary paperwork and are encouraged to spread the word to those who may have missed earlier opportunities.
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