More than one million Kenyans aged 30 years and above are living without national identification cards, Interior Cabinet Secretary Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed.

Speaking Tuesday in Homa Bay, Murkomen warned that the lack of identification documents has locked many citizens out of crucial rights and services, including employment, access to the Social Health Authority (SHA), and the ability to vote.

“There are so many rights they cannot exercise and benefits they cannot get from their own country because of lack of ID. We must work together to ensure everyone is identified to access services,” the CS said.

He directed chiefs across the country to proactively move within their areas of jurisdiction to help identify residents without IDs, including persons with disabilities, and assist them in obtaining the documents.

At the same event, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo noted that the challenge extends beyond adults, with many children particularly those born outside health facilities remaining undocumented.

He stressed that identification should cover all categories, including persons with disabilities and minors, to ensure equal access to opportunities.

“There is a huge population in Homa Bay and other counties who should already be having IDs. Identification is not just for those who turn 18. Even PWDs and children must also be captured,” Omollo said.

– By Sitna Omar, KNA