State deploys mobile ID units to speed up registration in marginalised counties

The government will soon launch special mobile machines designed to fast-track the issuance of national identity cards (IDs) in marginalised areas across the country.

The Mobile Live Capture Unit, a portable, battery-powered machine, is currently being piloted in selected counties in some counties.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced Thursday that the deployment of the machines is set to go a long way in speeding registration in marginalised areas.

"Identification documents facilitate access to crucial services and sources of livelihood such as employment. That’s why we are ramping up our ID issuance, especially in marginalised regions, to bring them on par with the rest of the country," Murkomen said.

Among the counties targeted are Turkana, Garissa, Mandera, Kilifi, Wajir, Taita Taveta, Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, Lamu, West Pokot, Tana River, Narok, and Kwale.

The mobile unit captures the biometric data of ID applicants and transmits it electronically for processing.

This, he said, enables applicants to receive their ID cards within three days.

Speaking in West Pokot when he assessed the flow of ID issuance, Murkomen at the same time stated that stringent safeguards have been implemented to ensure only eligible applicants in the border counties are registered.

So far, the Jukwaa la Usalama caravan has traversed all the Coast and Eastern region counties, a total of 14 counties.

Murkomen commenced the Rift Valley tour Wednesday.