Siaya residents mainly from Gem have protested over the directive by a local administrator in Gem Sub-County to ban issuance of identity cards in the area under the ‘Kitambulisho Mashinani’ programme.
In a letter to the Gem/Wagai acting Deputy County Commissioner Douglas Mutugi , Siaya Deputy County Registrar Jacob Ochieng’ says the programme was designed as a registration of persons Covid-19 intervention programme to ensure there are no interruptions in the registration process.
“The programme was to realise several objectives including decongesting registration offices in Yala, Wagai and Sawagongo to avoid crowding and mass movement of applicants seeking for identity cards in registration offices during this period of the pandemic,” Mr Ochieng’ wrote in his letter to Mr Mutugi.
The Daily Nation reports that the officer explained that the exercise was vital as it sought to minimise multiple handling of registration 136A forms.
“Chiefs and assistant chiefs will therefore easily authorise the forms for instant processing and this would reduce chances of contamination,” the deputy county registrar stated in his protest letter.
He also cautioned that suspending the exercise mid-way as directed by Mr Mutugi would pose a security threat as the forms might end up being used for illegal registration.
“It is necessary to mop up the already issued forms by registering eligible citizens,” added Mr Ochieng’.
The ‘Kitambulisho Mashinani’ programme, he says, was cost-effective to the locals as it minimized travel expenses to registration centres.
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“With the provision of PPEs to registration staff, registering and issuance of identity cards ensured enhanced safety.”
Mr Mutugi however, denied claims of interference.
“I’m not aware of the said programme at the moment,” the acting deputy county commissioner said even as a section of youth accused him of being used by local politicians to sabotage the “noble programme.”
A youth leader – Mr Charles Onguko and former Yala Ward Representative Joseph Kawuor said the directive by the acting DCC was tantamount to denying the locals their right to register for identity cards.
This, he said, would thwart efforts by those seeking to join higher institutions of learning.
“We demand that he (DCC) stops playing politics with the lives of our people and if he is being used politically, then let him resign today and be the politician,” Mr Onguko said.
Mr Kawuor said that Kenyans should never be denied a chance to acquire the vital document.
“We demand that the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, through the department of immigration and registration of persons moves with speed to lift the ban on this programme so that our youth can register for the viral documents,” Mr Kawuor said.
