National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has made a
passionate call urging all Kenyans to access National Identity cards,
emphasising that citizenship is not a privilege, but a right for every citizen
regardless of background, tribe or region.
Speaking on Monday at a Women Empowerment Forum in Lamu county, Wetang’ula commended President William Ruto’s administration for streamlining the process of acquiring ID cards, particularly in historically marginalised areas like Lamu and border regions.
These regions, he noted, have endured years of unnecessary bureaucratic barriers.
“Getting an ID is now free and unconditional. No more being asked who your grandfather was just to prove you are Kenyan. Citizenship is a birthright. It is not negotiable,” he said.
The speaker asked Kenyans to remain vigilant against divisive, tribal-based politics that threaten to undo the country’s democratic and development gains.
“We must reject the politics of hate and insults. There is no big tribe or small tribe in this country. We are one people. Our shared identity must always come before political affiliations or ethnic roots,” he said.
Wetang’ula criticised opposition leaders whom he said are offering "nothing but bitterness."
“Ask some of them what Kenya’s biggest issue is, and they’ll shout: ‘One term!’ Ask again, they’ll say: ‘Ruto must go!’ That is not leadership. That is just hate dressed up as activism,” he said.
On development, Wetang’ula highlighted the direct connection between national unity and economic growth, particularly in coastal counties.
He pointed to a resurgence in the tourism sector, attributing it to the calm and stability ushered in under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“Tourism thrives in peaceful environments. When the country is stable, tourists come back, businesses reopen and people find work. That’s what we’re seeing now and we must protect that momentum,” he said.
He also addressed past insecurity in parts of Lamu, often linked to cross-border criminal activity, saying national unity and full support for security agencies are critical to safeguarding peace.
“We cannot achieve progress without peace, and peace is only possible when we stand together and support our men and women in uniform,” he said.
Shifting focus to the role of families, Wetang’ula paid warm tribute to Kenyan women, calling them the backbone of homes and the heartbeat of the nation.
“When a woman earns even Sh500 shillings, the whole family eats. But give the same to some men well, you might not see them till morning,” he said, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd.
He called for greater inclusion of women in empowerment programmes, stating that investing in women uplifts communities.
True patriotism, he said, is about more than just donning the flag’s colours or singing the national anthem it is about caring for one another.
“If I fell down right now, I’d expect you to lift me up. And if you fall, I’d do the same. That’s the kind of Kenya we want, where we stand for each other,” he said.
