Garissa launches joint ID and voter registration drive to tackle low enrolment

Garissa will roll out a countywide campaign to increase national identity card issuance and voter registration.

This was after county and national government agencies formed a multi-agency task force to tackle persistently low registration rates.

The initiative was agreed during a planning meeting attended by Governor Nathif Jama, county commissioner John Cheruiyot, deputy county commissioners, chiefs and subcounty administrators.

Others were officials from the National Registration Bureau, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and other stakeholders.

The campaign came months after the government abolished the vetting process that for decades subjected applicants from Northeastern to additional scrutiny before they could obtain national identity cards.

Unlike applicants in other parts of the country, residents from the region were required to produce extensive family documentation and undergo lengthy verification processes, a practice that was widely criticised as discriminatory.

Despite the policy change, leaders said registration numbers remain low.

Governor Jama expressed concern that many eligible residents have yet to apply for national identity cards, while thousands whose cards have been processed are yet to collect them.

He said the meeting was convened to identify and remove the obstacles hindering national ID registration and voter enrolment across the county.

"The northern region, comprising Isiolo, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties, is performing extremely poorly in both national ID registration and voter registration," Jama said.

"The discriminatory vetting process was abolished, yet people are still not registering for IDs. Those who have IDs are not registering as voters and even those who are registered often do not turn up to vote." 

Under the initiative, registration teams will conduct public barazas, outreach programmes in secondary schools and mobile registration drives to make it easier for eligible residents to register for national identity cards and voter cards.

While welcoming President William Ruto's decision to abolish the additional vetting requirements, Jama urged residents to seize the opportunity, saying one of the biggest barriers to accessing government services and exercising constitutional rights had been removed.

"We used to talk about marginalisation but now there is no excuse. Today, we are marginalising ourselves. We have been given the same opportunity as every other Kenyan to acquire an ID card, register as voters and access government services, but many of us are not taking advantage of it," he said.

Jama said the county government would provide logistical support to registration teams operating in remote areas while stepping up public awareness campaigns to encourage residents to collect unclaimed identity cards and register as voters.

"A national identity card is the gateway to government services, economic opportunities and full participation in our democracy," he said.

"I urge every eligible resident to apply for an ID, collect any unclaimed card and register as a voter. No one should be left behind." 

County commissioner Cheruiyot reaffirmed the National Government Administration Officers' commitment to supporting grassroots registration efforts, describing the national identity card as an essential document for every Kenyan.

He directed chiefs and assistant chiefs to use public barazas and other community forums to sensitise residents on the importance of acquiring national identity cards.

"As NGAO officials, we have been working closely with the Registrar of Persons to ensure our people obtain national identity cards. The ID is a vital document that enables citizens to access government services, register for the Social Health Authority and many other essential services," Cheruiyot said.

He said the administration would ensure registration services reached residents at the grassroots.

"As NGAO officers, together with all stakeholders and leaders, we will go out of our way to ensure our people get IDs because it is their constitutional right," the administrator said.

"We will facilitate registration at the location and sub-location levels so that no eligible resident is left behind." 

Officials said about 328,000 national identity card holders in Garissa are yet to register as voters, highlighting the gap between ID ownership and electoral participation.

They also revealed that 4,312 processed national identity cards remain uncollected at the Garissa Huduma Centre, underscoring the need for intensified public awareness and mobilisation.

Leaders expressed optimism the campaign would significantly increase national identity card uptake, improve voter registration and strengthen c ivic participation ahead of future elections.

Instant analysis

Garissa's joint identity card and voter registration drive shifts the conversation from historical exclusion to civic participation. With the abolition of the discriminatory vetting process, the biggest legal barrier has been removed, but the latest figures suggest the challenge has become one of awareness, accessibility and public confidence. The revelation that 328,000 ID holders are yet to register as voters, alongside more than 4,300 uncollected identity cards, exposes a significant gap between eligibility and participation. If successfully implemented, the campaign could strengthen democratic representation, improve access to government services and ensure more residents fully exercise their constitutional rights ahead of future elections.

Garissa county commissioner John Cheruiyot speaking to the press. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO