Nairobi — The government has dismissed opposition claims of selective issuance and delays in national identity cards, urging Kenyans to rely on verified data. Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination Head Dennis Itumbi accused critics of spreading misinformation to create public anxiety and advance a political narrative of electoral interference.
“There are no delays,” Itumbi said. “What we are witnessing is political manipulation, outright falsehoods, and a desperate attempt to create anxiety among citizens, all in a hopeless effort to push a narrative of election interference.”
He argued the claims aim to undermine confidence in public institutions, insisting the national identification system remains efficient, secure, and accessible to all eligible citizens. To counter the allegations, Itumbi cited data from Nakuru County, where over 1.4 million identity cards had been issued as of April 18, 2026, with more than 31,000 applications currently being processed across sub-counties. Nakuru East leads in issuance, followed by Rongai, Naivasha, Njoro, and Molo, all recording steady progress.
“This is a system that is working consistently across every part of the county,” Itumbi said. “A system that has delivered over a million IDs in a single county cannot, by any honest standard, be described as delayed.”
He maintained the government remains committed to timely service delivery and safeguarding the integrity of the national identification system, warning against the weaponisation of misinformation for political gain. “It is regrettable that some leaders continue to mislead citizens and erode confidence in public institutions for short-term political interests,” he said. Itumbi urged Kenyans to rely on official communication channels and factual data, dismissing opposition assertions as baseless and reiterating that access to identification documents remains equal and uninterrupted across the country.
The rebuttal follows claims by Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, who accused the administration of discriminatory practices in ID issuance ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking in Kiambu, Gachagua alleged that the government was selectively issuing IDs in regions perceived to support President William Ruto while delaying the process in opposition strongholds.
“In areas perceived to be against William Ruto, our young people are being denied IDs,” Gachagua said. “In Nakuru, communities that support William Ruto are being issued IDs within two to three days, while others take between three to four months.”
He warned the government against unequal access to a critical identification document, insisting all eligible Kenyans should be treated fairly regardless of political affiliation. “All Kenyan children deserve IDs whether they support or oppose William Ruto,” he said. Gachagua further threatened to mobilise mass action if the alleged discrimination persists, putting the registrar of persons on notice. “If this does not stop, we shall ask Gen Z to occupy registration centres, Huduma Centres, and relevant offices in Nairobi,” he said.
