Garisa Township MP Aden Duale has called on the National Government to issue Identification cards to over 20,000 youths from Garisa and Wajir Counties.
While seeking a statement from the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security, Duale wondered why the Department of Registration of person has been reluctant to register the youths.
He said the youths have not received their National ID cards over years despite being eligible for ID cards.
He said most of the youths are registered as refugees at the Daadab Refugee camp.
He said most of them are Somalis.
Duale added that most of their parents came to Kenyan in the 1990s while escaping drought in Somalia.
“The difficulty with obtaining National IDs means these Kenyans cannot access employment, join higher education, engage in lawful busines, open bank accounts or even travel across the Country,” he said.
He said article 21 of the constitution provides that it is the fundamental duty of the state and every state organ to promote and fulfill the rights and fundamental freedoms in the bill of rights.
He said North Eastrn leaders in 017 applealed to the president over the issue.
He said the Director General of the registration of persons was directed to develop a framework and oversee registration of these Kenyans and issue them IDS.
On August 23, 2019, the government formed a taskforce to develop a procedure of vetting, verification and eligibility criteria for this stateless Kenyans using their parent’s citizenship documentations, local elders, chiefs, and other government agencies.
Duale said verification was done but since then nothing has come out.
The MP said the youth verified included Garissa Township 3000, Lagdera 1300, Ijara 2200, Fafi 2300, Daadab 6200, Wajir South 3500.
Duale asked the Interior CS Fred Mating’i to provide timelines as to when he will implement the Presidents 2017 directive on registration of persons in the affected areas.
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