CS Ruku announces new Huduma Centre in Elwak, calls for mass ID registration in north eastern

The government has called on residents of Kenya’s north eastern region to register for national identity cards in large numbers, assuring them that all previous barriers to accessing the essential documents have been removed.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku urged residents to take advantage of the opportunity created by President William Ruto’s directive, noting that access to government services and national opportunities begins with proper documentation.

Speaking during a government outreach mission in Elwak, Mandera County, Ruku said the government has eliminated obstacles that once made it difficult for locals to obtain IDs and other crucial documents.

He announced that a new Huduma Centre will soon open in Elwak to further ease access to these services.

“The barriers that previously prevented you from obtaining IDs and other documents have been removed. It is your democratic right to access government services. I urge all residents across Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and surrounding areas to register in large numbers,” Ruku said.

The CS stressed that having a National ID is the gateway to full participation in economic, political, and social life, including benefiting from government programs and opportunities.

As part of his visit, Ruku unveiled a livestock restocking programme for pastoralist communities in Northern Kenya whose herds were decimated by prolonged drought and hunger. He said the initiative, spearheaded by President Ruto, aims to restore livelihoods and build resilience against future climate shocks.

“The President is determined to ensure that every pastoralist who lost animals due to drought gets another chance. We are restoring livelihoods by restocking livestock,” he said.

Relief food

During the event, the CS also flagged off several trucks loaded with relief food and essential supplies for vulnerable households across Mandera County. He assured residents that the government has sufficient reserves to support drought-affected communities in all 23 impacted counties.

“No Kenyan will be left behind,” Ruku said.

In discussions with professionals, opinion leaders, and elders from Mandera, Ruku presented the government’s development scorecard, highlighting ongoing investments in infrastructure and public services.

“This region is receiving massive infrastructural investment for posterity and development. We are not just responding to drought; we are building a stronger foundation for the future,” he said.

Key projects in Mandera include expanding electricity through the Last Mile Connectivity Programme, upgrading roads to improve transport and trade, and constructing a modern market in Elwak to support local commerce.

On education, Ruku said the government has already hired thousands of new teachers and plans further recruitment to address shortages in public schools.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• Northern Kenya
• Huduma Centre
• Elwak
• Mandera County
• Relief food
• National IDs
• North Eastern Kenya.
• Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku
• CS Ruku announces new Huduma Centre in Elwak
• calls for mass ID registration in north eastern

On youth empowerment, the CS reaffirmed that the number of National Youth Service recruits will double to 40,000 from 2026.

“No previous administration can match President Ruto’s record. He has delivered exceptional results. Without his leadership, it’s hard to imagine where we would be,” Ruku said, urging residents to reject divisive politics and focus on development gains.

Local leaders welcomed the government’s continued support and encouraged residents to take full advantage of the services being rolled out.