Major registration drive for 500,000 Coast residents who lack IDs

At least half a million people in the Coast region currently lack national identity cards, essential documents that are crucial in the provision of essential government services.

The stark revelations were made by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who raised concerns over under-documentation of residents in the region as he pledged that measures will be taken to address the glaring disparity.

Speaking in Mombasa on Friday January 17, during a high-level consultative meeting with leaders from the region on security and national administration matters, the CS announced that as part of the measures aimed at bringing services close to the people, all subcounties across the country will provide civil registration services within three months.

To address the imbalance of ID issuance at the coast, he announced a major civil registration drive targeting more than 500,000 adults in the Coast region as he urged local leaders to work closely with local leaders to ensure all eligible residents are registered.

“There are more than 500,000 adults in the Coastal region who do not have national identity cards. We will deploy live capture machines and work closely with leaders to ensure all eligible persons are registered so they can access government services,” he said.

The move is expected to unlock access to essential government services for thousands of residents.

To improve on security, he pledged that the government will intensify the crackdown on criminal networks while focusing on the rehabilitation and reintegration of reformed offenders and gainfully engaging them.He highlighted that drug abuse in the Coast region is strongly linked to juvenile gangs, criminal activity, and alcoholism, creating persistent security challenges. “We must reform these young people, engage them in work and skills training, and deal with the drug problem that fuels crime,” he said.

The meeting reviewed progress made in implementing recommendations from the Jukwaa la Usalama forums and identifying areas that require further action and collaboration between national and county governments.

In his remarks, Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho said the meeting offered a critical platform for open and constructive dialogue on issues affecting Coast residents.

“We deliberated on strengthening security, enhancing civil registration services, addressing the challenge of drug and substance abuse, combating gender-based violence and improving support and welfare for our security officers,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir called for strong intergovernmental collaboration in the fight against drug and substance abuse, saying that it is essential to resolving the challenges of criminal activities at the coast. Healso applauded the Interior Ministry’s commitment to expedite the issuance of national identity cards and strengthen civil registration systems. “When our people are properly documented, they are visible to the state. When they are visible, their numbers matter. And when our numbers matter, the Coast will take its rightful place in shaping national priorities and decisions,” he said.

Key deliberations at the meeting held at the Kenya Maritime Authority focused on strengthening security, addressing the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse, combating crime, timely issuance of national IDs among other social concerns.

The meeting was attended by several leaders, including Senators and MPs from Mombasa, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Lamu and Tana River counties as well as senior government officials.