Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has rallied support for President William Ruto’s second term in office, citing the abolition of Identification Card vetting in Northern Kenya as a landmark achievement.
Speaking in Lagdera, Garissa County, Kindiki said Ruto’s administration had ensured that residents of the Northeastern region are no longer subjected to discrimination when applying for national identification documents.
“For more than 60 years, young people from Northern parts of Kenya could not access IDs without passing through long, discriminatory processes,” Kindiki said. “President Ruto came here in Wajir and signed into law the end of this unfair system. The same process of acquiring IDs in other parts of Kenya now applies in Northeastern.”
The Deputy President told residents that Ruto’s action underscored his commitment to uniting the country and treating all Kenyans equally. “Ni fire si fire, mtampatia two terms for doing that? Will you add him another term for abolishing ID vetting?” Kindiki posed.
On February 5, President Ruto signed a Presidential Proclamation abolishing the vetting process for residents of Northern Kenya. The Head of State described the move as the end of an “unjust and disenfranchising practice” that had marginalized communities in border counties for decades.
“This decision will now make it easier for the people of Northern Kenya to acquire IDs, access services, and fully participate in national development,” Ruto said during the signing.
Kindiki further commended the President for spearheading projects aimed at transforming the historically marginalized region. Among them is the LAPSSET corridor project, a 315-kilometre road connecting Lamu–Ijara–Masalani–Garissa–Isiolo, at a cost of Sh27 billion. The project is expected to boost trade, improve transport, and open up the region for investment.
“We commend President Ruto for uniting the country and ensuring areas that had been marginalized for many years are developed,” Kindiki added.
With the abolition of ID vetting and rollout of major infrastructure projects, the Deputy President urged Northern Kenya residents to back Ruto for a second term, saying the administration had demonstrated inclusivity and fairness.
