President William Ruto has defended his decision to scrap the vetting process for Kenyans applying for national ID cards, assuring that legal procedures will still be followed.
Speaking at the funeral of Senate Speaker Amason Kingi’s father in Kilifi, Ruto emphasized that the move ensures fairness for all Kenyans. He dismissed concerns that non-Kenyans would obtain IDs illegally, stating that established procedures remain in place.
“There is a process to be followed, but all Kenyans must be treated equally,” he said. “We cannot have different laws for different groups of citizens.”
His remarks follow a recent announcement in north-eastern Kenya ending the vetting process for ID applicants, a move that has sparked debate. Critics argue it could allow non-citizens to acquire IDs, with some leaders suggesting it might be a political strategy for the 2027 elections.
Ruto, however, rejected these claims, insisting his goal is to uphold fairness and eliminate discrimination. He reaffirmed his campaign promise to create an equitable system and vowed to continue advocating for equal treatment of all Kenyans.
