Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali(Abshiro) has strongly rebuked Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya over his criticism of the government’s plan to issue national identification cards to Kenyans residing in border regions.
The dispute highlights broader tensions surrounding the identification process, national security concerns, and the rights of marginalized communities in Kenya’s northern frontier.
Governor Natembeya recently raised concerns that issuing IDs to individuals in these areas—particularly the Borana community along the Kenya-Ethiopia border—could result in non-citizens obtaining Kenyan identification documents.
He suggested that such a move might open loopholes for foreigners, including individuals with alleged criminal ties, to acquire official Kenyan documentation.
His remarks have sparked debate over the balance between national security and the right to identification.
However, Governor Ali dismissed Natembeya’s concerns, arguing that all Kenyans have an equal right to obtain identification documents regardless of where they live.
He accused Natembeya of perpetuating negative stereotypes against border communities and fueling unnecessary fears.
“The idea that certain communities should be subjected to additional scrutiny simply because of their geographical location is discriminatory and unjust,” Governor Ali asserted.
“Every Kenyan, regardless of ethnicity or residence, is entitled to an ID, and denying them this right would be unconstitutional.”
Governor Ali further lauded President William Ruto’s decision to lift past restrictions that had hindered residents of northern Kenya from acquiring IDs.
He noted that for years, pastoralist communities in the region had faced bureaucratic hurdles that effectively marginalized them from full citizenship rights, limiting their access to essential services such as banking, education, and employment.
“This government has chosen the path of inclusivity,” Ali remarked. “By removing these unnecessary restrictions, the president is ensuring that no Kenyan is treated as a second-class citizen simply because of where they were born.”
Ali also took issue with Natembeya’s characterization of border communities, arguing that such remarks undermine national unity and create unnecessary divisions.
He insisted that security concerns should be addressed through proper border management and law enforcement rather than by denying legitimate citizens their identification documents.
The controversy comes amid broader national discussions on how to balance security concerns with civil rights.
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While Kenya has in the past faced challenges related to border security and illegal immigration, critics argue that restrictive ID policies have disproportionately affected certain communities, particularly those in northern Kenya.
As the debate continues, the national government faces the challenge of ensuring both security and fairness in ID issuance, ensuring that all citizens—regardless of ethnicity or geographic location—are accorded their constitutional rights.
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