Saku Member of Parliament Ali Dido Rasso has strongly criticized recent remarks by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya regarding the abolition of vetting for national identification card registration in North Eastern Kenya.
Rasso dismissed Natembeya’s concerns as misguided and discriminatory, accusing him of perpetuating biases against pastoralist communities.
The controversy stems from President William Ruto’s recent decision to scrap the vetting process for national ID issuance in North Eastern Kenya, a move widely welcomed by leaders from the region.
For decades, residents of North Eastern Kenya—predominantly ethnic Somali communities—have been subjected to rigorous and often discriminatory vetting procedures before being granted citizenship documents.
Many leaders have long decried this system as an institutionalized form of discrimination that denies rightful Kenyans their national identity.
However, Governor Natembeya opposed the president’s directive, citing security concerns.
He warned that removing vetting requirements could allow infiltration by extremist elements from neighboring Somalia, where groups like al-Shabaab remain active.
He even suggested that such a policy could compromise national security, hinting at the possibility of terrorists infiltrating high-level security operations, including the presidential escort.
Rasso, in a sharp rebuttal, dismissed Natembeya’s claims as fearmongering and an affront to the constitutional rights of Kenyan citizens.
He argued that the vetting process had unfairly targeted North Eastern residents, branding them as foreigners in their own country.
“For over 60 years, pastoralist communities have suffered systemic discrimination, being denied their fundamental right to a national identity.”He lamented.
“President Ruto’s directive is not just a policy change; it is a long-overdue correction of historical injustice,” Rasso reiterated.
“Anyone opposing it is advocating for continued oppression and exclusion,” he added.
The Saku MP further challenged Natembeya to embrace inclusivity and support the government’s move to ensure that all Kenyans have equal access to identification documents.
He stressed that the fight against terrorism should not be used as a pretext to deny a particular community its rights.
Rasso’s sentiments echo those of other North Eastern leaders who have hailed the policy change as a victory for justice and equality.
The move is expected to ease the long-standing struggle of residents in the region to obtain national identification, which is crucial for accessing essential services, employment, and participation in national affairs.
With opinions sharply divided on the issue, the debate over national ID vetting underscores broader discussions about security, equality, and historical injustices in Kenya.
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