North Eastern leaders slam critics of ID vetting ban
Governor Natembeya criticised President Ruto's directive to scrap mandatory ID vetting for communities in the Northeastern region, warning that the move could compromise national security.
Leaders from North Eastern Kenya on Tuesday expressed disappointment with opponents of the scrapping of the 60-year-old vetting requirement for residents of the region seeking ID applicants.
The leaders, under the North Eastern Parliamentary Group, termed opposing the new development as unfortunate and unwarranted, explaining that the move would be a big relief in ensuring inclusion in the country.
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Led by Daadab MP Farah Maalim, his Eldas counterpart Adan Keynan and Wajir South's Mohammed Adow, the leaders praised the decision by President William Ruto, noting that those opposed to it have no idea how residents of the Northern region of the country had faced discrimination when seeking issuance with national identification documents for decades.
"All that we are asking for, is to be governed just like any other Kenyan community, and every other region in this country. We are asking to be governed by the laws according to the Constitution of Kenya. What the President has done is to remove an unconstitutional practice," said Mohammed.
He regretted that the discriminatory practice has been ongoing whenever residents of the North Eastern region, especially when the Somalis are applying for national identification cards.
"The vetting process has been one of the most undignified things done to the people of North Eastern. What Governor Natembeya and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka did is trying to reinstate unconstitutional practices," said Mohammed.
The leaders said that the leaders calling for reinstatement of the vetting process were insincere. They said the Somali community has expressed unquestionable patriotism to Kenya by ensuring the stability of the country in periods of conflict.
"Baseless assertions"
"The baseless assertions against the uplifting of the vetting process only serve political interests and should be rejected with the contempt it deserves," said Keynan.
President William Ruto when he addressed mwananchi at Moi Stadium, Mandera County during his tour of the North Eastern region on February 4, 2025. (Photo: PCS)
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya had alleged that terrorists could easily obtain Kenyan citizenship following the abolition of vetting in Northern Kenya.
Natembeya criticised President Ruto's directive to scrap mandatory ID vetting for communities in the North Eastern region, warning that the move could compromise national security.
He argued that the policy would do more harm than good, as non-Kenyans could now enter the country and acquire citizenship without undergoing proper background checks.
"This is going to turn into a scramble for Kenya because they have opened the door to problems they won't be able to stop. I am deeply concerned that terrorists could simply come in, and obtain IDs, and nobody would know their background. You just walk in, and you are given an ID," he said.
The former Regional Commissioner emphasised that vetting was introduced to serve national security interests and to prevent Kenya from becoming a haven for criminals.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on his part had accused President William Ruto of orchestrating a grand scheme to manipulate the 2027 General Election through his recent plan to abolish the mandatory vetting process for national identification cards in parts of the country.
Speaking in Mandera County during a development tour, Ruto assured residents that his government would facilitate an easier process for obtaining the crucial document, bringing an end to what he termed as a discriminatory practice that has subjected many Kenyans to unfair treatment.
According to East Africa Legislative Assembly lawmaker David Ole Sankok, there is no need to blame Ruto over his decision on v the removal of vetting for those seeking IDs in Northern Kenya.
"This was our request to our President during our Pastoralists leadership summit in Wajir where 11 Governors, 102 MPs, 389 MCAs and several Opinion, religious and cultural leaders were present. Vetting a section of Kenyans is discriminatory, unpalatable, retrogressive, ignominious, illegal, archaic and the highest degree of prejudice worse than the infamous colonial apartheid in South Africa," said Sankok.
The MP asked how Kenya borders Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania as well as all countries of the Far East through the Indian Ocean, yet vetting only applied to Somali people who live on the border next to Somalia.
"If there must be vetting in one of our borders then it should be the border of Kenya and Uganda, not Kenya and Somalia. On behalf of Pastoralists leaders, I will not be contented with the removal of vetting only but I will pursue legal means of compensation for the dark period of locally brewed apartheid," added Sankok.
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