The government has stepped up a nationwide, whole-of-government campaign to accelerate the registration of national identity cards and birth certificates, as part of broader efforts to enhance access to public services and strengthen national security.
Speaking during a multi-agency sensitization forum for National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) held at the Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa County, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the initiative aims to ensure universal and timely documentation of all eligible citizens.
The forum was presided over by Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang, and focused on the implementation of revised registration guidelines launched by President William Ruto in February 2025. The new framework replaced the former vetting system, which had been criticized for delays and exclusion, in order to improve efficiency, transparency and inclusivity in the registration process.
PS Omollo said National Government Administrative Officers have been tasked with leading the rollout of the new guidelines at the community level to ensure that every eligible person is registered promptly.
In Mombasa County, the number of registered national ID holders currently stands at 938,737, with projections showing that 60,584 residents will attain the age of 18 over the next two years, highlighting the urgency of the registration drive.
The engagement also emphasized the need for stronger inter-agency coordination, not only in civil registration but also in ongoing efforts to combat illicit drugs and illegal brews, reinforcing the link between proper documentation, security, and effective service delivery.
According to PS Omollo, the initiative supports the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by expanding access to government services, social protection programmes and economic opportunities for citizens who might otherwise be excluded due to lack of documentation.
He called on NGAOs across the country to demonstrate strong leadership, integrity and commitment to ensure that every eligible citizen is documented and fully integrated into national development.
The forum brought together Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor Hassan, Deputy County Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs from across the county, alongside representatives from security agencies and immigration departments drawn from both Mombasa and Nairobi.
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