Prominent lawyer Ndegwa Njiru has vowed to challenge President William Ruto’s decision to abolish the vetting process for Identification Card (ID) issuance for residents of the North Eastern region.
The move, which Ruto announced through a Presidential Proclamation on February 5, 2025, has sparked heated debate across the country.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday night, February 6, Njiru dismissed Ruto’s declaration as a reckless decision that could have far-reaching implications for national security.
“Fellow Kenyans, I volunteer to challenge in court this outrageous roadside declaration by Kasongo that has revoked the requirement to vet those individuals living around our porous borders before acquiring the ID… Kasongo hautaharibu nchi yetu tukiona. #OneTerm #RutoMustGo,” Njiru wrote, using the term ‘Kasongo’ as a nickname for the President.
Njiru’s declaration immediately sparked debate, with financial expert Mohamed Wehliye among those strongly opposing his stance.
“A lawyer going to court to tell the court that some Kenyans should be treated differently from others? What court will entertain your unconstitutional nonsense?” Wehliye posted in response.
However, Njiru defended his position, arguing that the requirement for vetting was anchored in law.
“Read Section 6 of the Registration of Persons Act. This section actually contemplates and approves vetting of applicants in some areas. So who is Kasongo to repeal that section by a mere roadside declaration?” he rebutted.
Ruto’s move to end vetting
President Ruto’s decision marks a significant shift in the country’s identification process.
According to Ruto, the abolition of vetting is aimed at streamlining access to national documents for residents of North Eastern Kenya, a region that has long faced bureaucratic hurdles and accusations of systemic discrimination in obtaining IDs and birth certificates.
“If it’s about vetting, let all children of Kenya be vetted equally without any discrimination. We want the people of Northern Kenya to feel equal to the rest of the country,” Ruto said during a public event at Orahey Grounds in Wajir Town, where he signed and read out the decree.
The President acknowledged that residents of North Eastern have endured years of ethnic profiling and cumbersome vetting processes before acquiring official documents.
He described the new directive as a long-overdue correction of historical injustices.
“Leo nimesema hiyo vetting imekwisha; hakuna kuendelea kuonea watu wengine. Hii ubaguzi imedumu miaka 60, tulisema tutatoa,” said Ruto, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to equality.
The President’s decision comes amid speculation about his strategic political manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Some analysts believe this could be an effort to solidify his support in the region, which has been politically fluid in past elections.
Historical context
The vetting process for ID issuance in North Eastern Kenya was introduced following the Shifta insurgency of the 1960s.
The Shifta War was a secessionist conflict in which ethnic Somalis and Muslim Borana, among others, sought to join Somalia.
In response, the Kenyan government implemented strict vetting measures in the region, citing security concerns.
These measures, however, have been criticized as discriminatory and have contributed to a sense of alienation among the region’s residents.
Legal battle looms
Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru’s move to challenge the abolition of vetting sets the stage for a contentious legal battle that could redefine Kenya’s identification policies.
If he proceeds with a petition, the case will likely test the balance between national security concerns and equal rights to citizenship documentation.
Observers will be watching closely as the courts weigh in on the matter, with potential ramifications on both policy and politics.
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