Economic Planning PS Dr. Bonface Makokha has launched a national identity card (ID) and voter registration drive in Busia County to bring government services closer to residents lacking the essential documents.

Speaking during the launch at Nambale Deputy County Commissioner’s (DCC) grounds, Dr. Makokha said the exercise will be conducted across the county to ensure eligible residents could access the services locally.

“Our survey identified that many people lack IDs due to the distance they have to travel to access the services. That is why we resolved to bring the registration exercise closer to the people,” he said.

The PS said  officers from the National Registration Bureau with  live-capture machines will be going to local areas to facilitate ID registration, adding that 8,500 IDs that had been awaiting printing were processed and dispatched to Busia residents.

“In Busia, we had 22,000 IDs under production, out of which 8,500 have been printed and dispatched. From next week, everyone who has applied for an ID will start receiving the document,” he said.

The PS  added that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had established a registration desk at the venue to enable residents receiving their IDs to register as voters.

Dr. Makokha noted that the lack of identification documents had prevented some residents from accessing essential government services, stressing the need to decentralize registration services.

He also called for increased public sensitization on government programmes, saying National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) and religious leaders had been trained to educate communities on available services and encourage participation in government initiatives.

On allegations that IDs and voter registration services were being issued to non-residents, Makokha urged anyone with evidence to present it to security agencies for investigation and appropriate action.

“ID registration is done through a constitutional process. If there are facts supporting these allegations, let them be presented for action to be taken. There is a lot of verification involved in obtaining an ID, including the presentation of original documents,” he said.

Nambale Sub County  Deputy County Commissioner Veronica Naliaka also urged eligible residents to obtain IDs and register as voters, noting that participation in elections was essential in exercising their democratic rights.

“Purpose to register for an ID and also as a voter so that you can exercise your right. There is no need of chanting ‘one term, two terms, no term’ slogans when you do not have an ID. You must stand to be counted when the time comes,” she said.

The DCC expressed concern over young people who had attained the age of 18, but had not acquired national identity cards, urging them to register and obtain the documents to enable them to access government services and participate in civic activities.

Meanwhile, Nambale Sub-County IEBC Officer Elizabeth Barasa urged eligible residents, particularly the youth to register as voters and exercise their democratic rights.

“In the last general election, Nambale Sub-County had 50,000 registered voters. By the close of last month, we had 57,000 voters in our register. Our officers are in the field, and our target is to go beyond 60,000 voters by the end of this registration exercise,” she said.

Barasa added that 16 polling centres had been added to bring voting services closer to  the people. She urged voters whose polling stations were far from their homes to visit the IEBC office for assistance with voter transfers.

Stephen Wandera, a resident from Nambale lauded the initiative, adding that it will ensure many people get ID and elect the right leaders.

“Many people have been facing difficulty in applying and getting the document. We appreciate the effort of bringing the services near to us and this will encourage many to acquire the document, register as a voter and vote for the right people, who will bring development to us” he said.

Judith Wandera, another resident called for all leaders to help in sensitizing the members of the public to come out and register as voters.

“We need our leaders to do more sensitization for the youth to come and register as voters. Mere slogans will not make someone a leader, but if we have a vote, we will vote for the right people who will help us. Bringing this initiative close to us is important and as members of the public we need to embrace it,” she said.

by Salome Alwanda / Rodgers Omondi