Thousands of members of the Somali community in Mombasa who have struggled for years to obtain national identity cards could soon receive assistance after county leaders and community representatives pledged to work together to address long-standing documentation challenges.
Speaking during a gala dinner with members of the Somali community in Mombasa, Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir said the government had begun reviewing the process of issuing identity cards to ensure all eligible Kenyans are treated fairly, regardless of their names, ethnicity or place of birth.
He said some communities had for years faced additional scrutiny when applying for national identity cards, leaving many unable to access employment, higher education, banking services and other government programmes.
"For a long time, some communities have been denied an identity card by virtue of nothing else but their names, where they were born, and different interpretations of the law," said Abdulswamad.
"We need to congratulate the government for coming up with criteria that will ensure we have a law that is fair to everyone. During the first phase, we facilitated about 8,000 identity cards, we undertook a second phase, and now we want to focus on communities that have been marginalised for a long time."
The governor called on local leaders to identify residents whose applications had stalled so their cases could be followed up with the relevant national government offices.
"I want us to work together. Some people are still being told they are not citizens or are asked questions that others are never asked. Let us organise and bring those with such problems so that we can assist them. We should never be apologetic about claiming what is rightfully ours as Kenyans," he said.
The remarks come amid renewed national debate over access to identity documents, particularly among communities that have historically complained of lengthy vetting procedures before being issued with identification cards.
Abdulswamad also praised the Somali community for its contribution to the country's economy, describing its entrepreneurial spirit as an example of resilience and collaboration.
"We should never be apologetic for who we are. The Somali community is industrious and business-minded. It has the capacity to live and work with people from every background, not just in Kenya but across the world. What started in places like Eastleigh in Nairobi and Old Town in Mombasa has grown into partnerships with many other communities. That is a lesson all of us can learn because there is enough opportunity for everyone if we work together," he said.
The governor urged young people who become eligible to apply for identity cards promptly so they can fully participate in national development and civic affairs.
Political leaders who attended the meeting also encouraged residents to register as voters in Mombasa rather than transferring their votes to their ancestral counties.
Nominated Mombasa MCA Hamida Noor said greater voter registration within the county would strengthen the community's voice in local decision-making.
"We want our people to register as voters here in Mombasa, where they live and work. There is no need to travel elsewhere during elections to vote. Our numbers matter because they determine how resources are shared and how leaders are elected," she said.
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