We’ll not relent on ending discriminative ID vetting practices – DP

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending discriminatory vetting of Kenyans living in border regions for identification documents.

Kindiki said the decision by President William Ruto to ease the vetting process remains in force and is aimed at eliminating historical biases targeting certain communities.

“I am happy with the policy interventions that dealt with discriminatory tendencies in the issuance of IDs.

“They have made some sectarian people uncomfortable, but we must do them for the sake of forging a united and prosperous country,” he said.

The DP spoke on Tuesday when he hosted Members of Parliament from Northern Kenya at his Karen residence for consultations on ongoing development projects in the region, where he stressed the government’s non-discriminatory approach to development.

“I am a great advocate of inclusion, equity and the indivisibility of Kenya, and I believe every part of Kenya needs to be treated equally. Places that have lagged deserve affirmative action from the government,” he said.

Kindiki outlined major infrastructure projects under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, including roads, electricity, water supply, affordable housing, and modern markets in northern Kenya.

He assured leaders that the Isiolo–Modogashe–Wajir–Kotulo–Elwak–Rhamu–Mandera road will be completed as planned.

The Deputy President said the securitisation of the roads levy has made it possible to revive stalled road projects nationwide.

“Many contractors who had abandoned sites, some for over six years, are now back. The completion of these roads will be a game-changer for the region and the whole of Kenya.”

Kindiki also hailed progress in Universal Health Coverage (UHC), noting that over 25.4 million Kenyans have enrolled.

“Right now, half of Kenyans have medical cover. Every day we have over 50,000 registering. By 2027, we will have over 35 million covered. It is a huge milestone. The debate now is how to perfect it,” he said.

On healthcare delivery, he said the government is working to ensure medicines go directly from KEMSA to health facilities to curb shortages and losses.

The DP further assured that affordable housing projects are being implemented equally across the country, including in counties like Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera.

Dadaab MP Farah Maalim, who is the patron of the North Eastern Parliamentary Caucus, lauded the government’s development agenda.

He said that for the first time, the people of Northern Kenya are getting treated as citizens.

“For the first time in 63 years, we consider ourselves citizens of this country,” he said.

His Eldas counterpart, Adan Keynan, said it is time individuals who have profiled Northern Kenya residents are stopped.

“There are individuals who have taken time to profile the community we represent. This is the time to push back the narrative.”