Murkomen: ID issuance drive exceeds national target
The Cabinet Secretary for Interior Security and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, has revealed that the enhanced registration of persons and the accelerated issuance of national IDs under the ongoing Jukwaa la Usalama programme are yielding positive results.
Speaking in Kericho on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Murkomen said the government launched the initiative to ensure all eligible citizens can access essential government services through the timely issuance of national IDs.
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The CS highlighted the success of the programme in Kericho County, where the Registrar of Persons registered 25,000 first-time ID applicants, well above the initial target of 18,000.
“I urge all Kenyans who have reached the age of 18 to come forward and register for their national identity cards,” he said.
Murkomen emphasised that the national ID is a vital document required to access key government services such as Taifa Care through the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Affordable Housing Programme.
“We have 22 ID registration centres, and while we have exceeded our targets over the past year, there are still many who need to collect their IDs. It is essential because the ID is linked to the SHA, the Affordable Housing Programme, and many other ongoing initiatives,” the CS asserted.
According to him, in 2024, the target was about 18,000, but it was surpassed by registering 25,000 people.
Murkomen said the 2025 target is 24,000, adding that the government expects to surpass the target.
“We have enhanced our registration programmes. This is a more settled county, so the challenge of mobile registration is not a big deal here, and as I told you, we have 22 registration centres, which is beyond the seven sub-counties,” he remarked.
He said the government has deployed sufficient infrastructure and personnel to ensure that the enhanced registration exercise runs smoothly.
“We just want to encourage the people of Kericho to come out and register, take their national identity cards because this is extremely important for them to get government services at various levels at various levels including medical services through SHA,” the security boss stated.
State of security
The CS noted that Jukwaa la Usalama had revitalised government officers, particularly in the security and administration sectors, with many now performing their duties with renewed energy and commitment.
The objective of the Jukwaa la Usalama, he said, is to assess the security situation and engage leaders, security teams, National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) and peace committees on strategies to enhance security, peace and cohesion.
It also presents an opportunity for the government to get feedback directly from the people on government services, among others.
Kericho was the 25th county to host the Jukwaa la Usalama caravan yesterday.
“We are also getting feedback about government projects in the area. I am happy to note that the planned government projects are on,” he said.
“For all these projects, we have been given a brief by our team, and we will report to various ministries, but also during the Jukwaa la Usalama, we will update the public on the progress that has been made insofar as these projects are concerned.”
