Members of the National Assembly committee on Administration and Internal security have raised concern over persistent challenges in the issuance of national identification documents in Sotik Sub-County Bomet County citing inadequate resources, poor infrastructure and gaps in policy implementation.
The sessional chairman who is an MP for Saku Dido Raso Ali led the lawmakers to assess the registration of birth certificates, death certificates and national identity cards where they engaged officials from the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and Civil Registration Department, who painted a mixed picture of progress and persistent bottlenecks.
Sotik Sub-County Principal Registrar Peris Kogei told MPs that while the removal of vetting and fees had significantly boosted registration numbers, operational constraints were slowing service delivery.
“Out of a target of 6,800 new registrations, we have so far achieved about 4,059. For duplicate IDs, we have processed 744 out of a target of 1,200,” said Kogei while attributing to the increase to recent policy changes that eliminated vetting and application fees.
“The numbers have gone up because most residents here are farmers, and the removal of charges has encouraged more people to apply,” she said, adding that, “We need more materials and facilitation. Sometimes we are given as little as Sh10,000 to run operations across all divisions, including transport and printing. That is not sufficient.”
Kogei added that the office processes between 70 and 150 applicants daily, depending on demand, but lacks adequate internet connectivity, equipment and office space.
“Our office is small and currently housed within the correctional department. We also lack reliable internet, which limits our ability to track applications and assist clients in real time,” she said.
The registrar further revealed that over 5,600 processed IDs remain uncollected, largely due to the transient nature of the population.
“Some applicants move away after applying and do not return to collect their IDs. However, local residents usually receive theirs through chiefs,” she explained.
On processing timelines, Ms Kogei said it takes an average of 21 working days for IDs to be issued, although delays can occur where additional verification is required.
The MPs also questioned the continued requirement for parental identification documents despite applicants presenting birth certificates.
Homabay Town MP and a member of the committee, Peter Kaluma challenged the practice, arguing that a birth certificate should be sufficient proof of citizenship.
“If I already have a birth certificate issued through a credible government process, why should I still be required to produce my parents’ IDs?” he posed.
He urged a policy review to simplify the process and ease access to identification documents, particularly for the elderly and vulnerable groups.
The registrar, however, maintained that supporting documents were necessary to confirm identity, especially in complex cases such as applicants without parental records or those in inter-community marriages.
“We do not deny anyone an ID, but we must follow procedures to avoid errors. In some cases, chiefs help verify identity where documentation is lacking,” she said.
The committee also explored the integration of registration services with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to streamline voter registration.
Hon. Kaluma recommended closer collaboration between agencies to ensure applicants are simultaneously registered as voters upon receiving IDs.
“We need systems that work together so that once someone gets an ID, they can be immediately registered as a voter,” he said.
On civil registration, Sotik Sub-County Civil Registrar Phoebe Ojalla said most births about 90 percent are recorded, but challenges persist in death registration.
“Some deaths occur at home or on the way to hospital, making it difficult to obtain the necessary documentation for registration,” she said.
Committee members also raised concerns about digitisation and data protection, warning of potential vulnerabilities.
Rasso cautioned that while digitisation improves efficiency, it also exposes sensitive data to risks.
“It is a delicate balance. Data can easily be compromised if proper safeguards are not in place,” he said.
The Saku lawmaker noted that verifying birth records remains difficult due to lack of connectivity with central databases, forcing officers to rely on manual communication with headquarters.
Despite the challenges, the committee commended the local officers for their professionalism and dedication.
“We are impressed by the level of knowledge and commitment demonstrated by the officers here. Some issues require policy intervention, but others can be addressed administratively,” said Rasso.
The committee is expected to compile its findings and recommend policy and operational reforms to improve access to identification documents across the country.
