By Peter Ochieng
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for for defense Aden Duale has spoken on president William Ruto’s move to abolish vetting for Kenyans seeking national Identification Cards (IDs).
This week, the president announced that he will soon issue a policy document, that will give a roadmap on how people irrespective of the region they come from can easily get IDs.
“Starting next month (May 2024), there will be no vetting for Kenyans who want to get ID cards. I am going to be issuing a policy document to make sure that we have a mechanism that is similar to other Kenyans, so that we don’t discriminate based on religion or region,” said the Head of State.
Speaking on Wednesday when he joined thousands of Muslim faithfuls for Eid-ul-Fitr prayers, at the Eastleigh High School grounds in Nairobi, Duale said such gestures helps promote cohesion in the society.
“Such gestures not only promote social cohesion but also demonstrate solidarity with the Muslim community during their religious festivities,” he said.
“Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of prayer and reflection, the gazzetment of Eid as public holiday and our participation as leaders highlights the government’s acknowledgment and respect for diverse religious traditions within the country,” added the former Garissa Township Member of Parliament (MP).
His sentiments were echoed by Shaban Gakere, Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims (SUPKEM) leader in Central.
Gakere noted that the issue of vetting of those seeking IDs has affected Muslims for several years.
On the hand, former Mombasa governor Hassan Ali Joho and ODM deputy party leader called on the government to end the doctors’s strike, that has been on for a month and counting.
Joho said the strike continues to affect millions of Kenyans who can’t afford medication in private hospitals, across the country.