Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto’s administration of allegedly influencing the issuance of national identity cards, claiming that residents in areas perceived to support the government are receiving the documents faster than those in opposition strongholds.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook account, Gachagua raised concerns over the alleged discrimination in the processing and issuance of national identity cards, further claiming that underage schoolchildren were being issued with the documents.
Gachagua alleged that the Registrar of Persons was acting on instructions from President Ruto to fast-track the issuance of IDs in areas considered government strongholds while making the process difficult in regions perceived to support the opposition.
“We are deeply concerned by reports that the Registrar of Persons, acting under instructions from Mr. Ruto, is issuing national identity cards quickly in areas perceived to support the government while making the process difficult in opposition strongholds. This includes giving Ids to under age school children,”Gachagua said in a statement.
He called on the Registrar of Persons and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to uphold their independence and ensure that all eligible Kenyans have equal access to identification services.
The former Deputy President cautioned the two institutions against allowing political considerations to influence the execution of their constitutional and administrative responsibilities.
“No one should face discrimination based on their political views or where they live,” Gachagua stated.
He further maintained that all Kenyans were entitled to equal treatment regardless of their political affiliations or geographical location.
The allegations raise questions about equitable access to national identification services, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 General Election, when possession of valid national identification documents is a key requirement for voter registration.
However, the claims regarding politically influenced issuance of identity cards and the alleged registration of underage schoolchildren were not independently substantiated in Gachagua’s statement.