President William Ruto has defended his government’s decision to abolish the vetting process for ID issuance in North Eastern Kenya, terming the move a critical step toward correcting decades of historical injustice.
Speaking during a tour of Mandera, on Saturday, the President said the previous vetting system had unfairly targeted residents of the region, locking many out of essential government services and opportunities.
Ruto maintained that the scrapping of the process is part of a broader effort to ensure equal treatment of all Kenyans, especially those from historically marginalized areas.
“Wakati mimi nimeondoa masharti ya vetting, bado tuko na wananchi wengi, vijana, kina mama na wazee, ambao hawajapata nafasi ya kujiandikisha na kupata kitambulisho. Tunataka wapate nafasi hiyo kwa sababu wao ni Wakenya, na hatutaki ule ubaguzi wa zamani, ” He said.
The vetting requirement, which had been in place for decades, made it harder for residents in counties such as Mandera, Garissa and Wajir to acquire national identification documents. Its removal is expected to significantly ease access to IDs and other services.
During the address, the President also urged residents to take advantage of the reforms by registering for national identity cards and enrolling as voters, noting that identification remains a key gateway to accessing government services and participating in the country’s democratic processes.
The government has argued that eliminating the vetting requirement removes unnecessary bureaucracy that had sidelined many citizens, opening the door for wider inclusion and better service delivery.
However, the move has not been without criticism. Some leaders and security experts have previously raised concerns that removing the vetting process could pose risks, arguing that the system was initially introduced for security reasons during past conflicts in the region.
Still, the administration insists the reforms are necessary to build a more inclusive state, with Ruto positioning the move as a bold step toward national unity and equal citizenship.
The President’s remarks now place the issue back at the center of national debate, balancing the push for inclusion against lingering security concerns.
