The government has introduced stricter identity registration measures following the complete abolition of the controversial vetting process in border counties. The updates, outlined in the State of National Security Report tabled in Parliament by President William Ruto, are designed to strengthen verification, curb fraud and ensure equal access to national ID cards across the country.
Under the new guidelines, all applicants must now register in their home counties or designated permanent residences to make community-based verification easier. A biological parent or guardian is also required to confirm the applicant’s identity by providing a left-thumbprint on the registration form. Chiefs or Assistant Chiefs will then authenticate this information using their biometric signature, a move aimed at enhancing accountability.
Registration officers will now submit weekly reports of all applicants to security agencies for review. Any flagged concerns will trigger immediate action from the Registration of Persons office and National Government Administration teams.
The report adds that the government has expanded ID card production capacity, including upgrading printing facilities, assigning more personnel and introducing a 24-hour service to clear the growing demand for new applications and replacements.
President Ruto’s decision to end vetting earlier this year was described as a step toward fairness for communities that had long complained of discrimination and delays linked to the previous system. Vetting panels comprising security agencies, chiefs and community elders had for decades been used to approve or reject applicants in 20 largely border counties.
While the old process was intended to prevent issuance of IDs to foreigners, it often resulted in legitimate Kenyan citizens missing education opportunities, delaying jobs and facing unnecessary scrutiny.
The new rules now shift responsibility to community structures, security agencies and biometric verification, marking a significant overhaul of Kenya’s identity registration framework.
