The government has unveiled an innovative solution to address the chronic lack of national identification documents in Kenya's marginalized regions.
During a visit to Turkana County, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen assessed the piloting of Mobile Live Capture Units, battery-powered portable machines designed to electronically process ID applications in remote areas.
With close to 400,000 adults in Turkana County lacking national IDs, the new system promises to dramatically reduce waiting periods.
Applicants registered through the mobile units will now receive their identification cards within just three days, a significant improvement from the previous lengthy processing times that often stretched for months.
The initiative specifically targets pastoral communities that have historically faced challenges accessing government services due to geographical barriers and infrastructure limitations. After successful testing in Turkana, the government plans to deploy these mobile units to other marginalized counties across the country.
The announcement came during the Jukwaa la Usalama town hall meeting at Ekalees Cultural Center in Lodwar, where CS Murkomen engaged with local leaders and security officials.
The forum brought together Turkana County Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, Members of Parliament, regional security chiefs, county administrators, and other senior government officials to discuss service delivery and security matters.
This technological intervention marks a critical step in the government's efforts to promote inclusion and ensure all citizens can access essential documents needed for participation in economic, social, and political processes.
The mobile registration system is expected to not only streamline identification services but also enhance security and governance in Kenya's hard-to-reach regions.
The Interior Ministry's initiative aligns with broader national efforts to digitize government services and bridge the inequality gap that has left millions of Kenyans in arid and semi-arid regions without basic documentation for generations.