Govt freezes printing of IDs

The government has frozen the printing of new national identity cards for the next three months.

Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang’ told Parliament that even though the failure to issue the IDs was in breach of article 12(1) of the Constitution, the government had no option but to wait until it had set up a state-of-the-art plant to roll out the third generation ID cards.

“For a while, Kenyan people will have to bear with us as we process the 3G ID cards,” said Mr Kajwang’. For now, the minister said, the waiting slip issued to applicants of IDs was recognisable and can be used in job applications.

“I can confirm that that waiting document is a legal and usable document for all purposes. Those with it can use that as an ID card until the person gets an ID card, because it’s not their fault,” the minister told MPs.

Pressed to explain if the directive was practical, he said: “If you listened to me; that waiting card is for all practical purposes usable”.

Ms Millie Odhiambo (nominated, ODM) had raised the matter in Parliament saying that thousands of young people who had reached 18 years –the age at which they have to be issued with IDs—didn’t have the vital documents.

“Identification is a right. We want to know when people will be given IDs, not when their names will be written in some book in a chief’s office,” said Mr Odhiambo.

But the minister said: “We’re going out to continue with the registration of Kenyans, but what we may not do is give them ID cards because the materials are not available.”

MPs John Mututho (Naivasha, Kanu), Danson Mungatana (Garsen, Narc Kenya), William Kabogo (Juja, Narc Kenya), Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem, ODM) and John Mbadi (Gwassi, ODM) asked the minister where the difficulty was in printing, given that Parliament, had in the last budget, voted Sh2 billion for the rollout of the 3G IDs.

The minister said there was a problem in that the new IDs were supposed to come up in 2005, but the government has been a victim of court cases with regard to the procurement of a firm to do the printing.

“It is a right for every Kenyan to have an ID because it is in the Constitution, even it was not in the Constitution, that’s a basic right.

"What is in issue is not money. I have money. The last budget gave me Sh2 billion, I have not used that money. Registration will continue, village to village,” the minister said.

“I know that you want IDs and that you deserve the IDs, but we’re in the process of procuring materials.”

Mr Kabogo accused the government of “collective irresponsibility” because despite knowing that they were committing an unconstitutional act, they’d kept on going ahead with the illegality

Mr Mbadi was worried that next year’s elections could be affected, because one needs an ID card to register as a voter, and between now and next year, millions of youth will need the ID cards.

“There’s frustration this minister is facing and yet he does not want to own up. We want to help him,” said Mr Mbadi.

Mr Mungatana had said that Kenyan firms could be recruited to print the IDs, but he was told that the ID “is not just a piece of paper".

“The science of producing IDs is very complex. Kenya is actually a giant. It is complex information technology and the IT people will tell you what goes behind it,” Mr Kajwang said.

“Birth certificates are a piece of paper, only a special piece of paper, but the ID is a much more complex thing. Is is even more secure than your passport.”

MPs urged the House committee on Administration and National Security, together with the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee to take up the matter.