Dennis Itumbi Dismisses Opposition Claims of ID Card Delays and Selective Issuance

Nairobi — The government has dismissed opposition claims of selective issuance and delays in national identity cards, urging Kenyans to rely on verified data. Dennis Itumbi, head of the Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination, 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 that the claims aim to undermine confidence in public institutions and insisted that the national identification system remains efficient, secure, and accessible to all eligible citizens.

To counter the allegations, Itumbi cited data from Nakuru County, where more than 1.4 million identity cards had been issued as of 18 April 2026, with over 31 000 applications currently being processed across sub‑counties. Nakuru East leads in issuance, followed by Rongai, Naivasha, Njoro and Molo, all showing steady progress. “This is a system that is working consistently across every part of the county,” he 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 that the government remains committed to timely service delivery and to 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 added, urging Kenyans to rely on official communication channels and factual data.

The rebuttal follows accusations by Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, who alleged discriminatory practices in ID issuance ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking in Kiambu, Gachagua claimed 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,” he said. “In Nakuru, communities that support William Ruto are being issued IDs within two to three days, while others take three to four months.” He warned the government against unequal access to this critical document, insisting that all eligible Kenyans should be treated fairly regardless of political affiliation. “All Kenyan children deserve IDs whether they support or oppose William Ruto,” Gachagua said, and threatened 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.”