Govt launches door-to-door ID and voter registration drive in Kakamega

• The Government has launched a door-to-door campaign in Kakamega County to increase national ID card registration and voter enrolment.
• The exercise targets students aged 18 and above, as well as other eligible adults, ahead of next year’s General Election.
• National Government Administrative Officers have been directed to move from schools to homes to identify unregistered residents.

The Government has launched a major campaign to ensure all students in Kakamega County aged 18 and above obtain national ID cards and register as voters ahead of next year’s General Election.

The drive, spearheaded by Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, will see National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) move from school to school and house to house to ascertain whether students and other adults in their jurisdictions have valid ID cards.

They will then liaise with registrars from the Births and Deaths Department and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to visit their areas of jurisdiction and register them as adult Kenyans and voters.

Savula said the exercise will officially kick off immediately after the current mid-term break and that the Government will facilitate the officials involved to ensure they reach all institutions and homesteads within their respective areas.

He pointed out that they were targeting more than four million voters in the Western Region.

“We have so far registered 2.6 million voters and are targeting another 1.5 million in the new exercise,” he said.

Officials urged to support the exercise

The Deputy Governor, who was accompanied by, among others, Vihiga Woman Representative Dr Beatrice Adagala, was speaking at Khwisero Social Hall during a meeting with NGAO members from Khwisero, Ikolomani and Butere sub-counties.

He urged the officers not to be intimidated by members of the Opposition while carrying out their duties to ensure eligible adults acquire ID cards and register as voters.

“I heard one Rigathi Gachagua making threats that they would sack chiefs and assistant chiefs who would be helping the Government drive its agenda if they come to power. He is just in dreamland and should not make you feel intimidated because you are here to stay,” he added.

The sentiments were echoed by Dr Adagala, who said NGAOs’ core responsibility was to support the government of the day in implementing its development agenda.

Call to address ID processing delays

The NGAO officials, however, urged the leaders to follow up on ID cards that are yet to be processed and issued to applicants, including learners, saying the delays contribute to low registration among new applicants.

Savula was appointed by President William Ruto to coordinate the exercise in the Western Region.

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He said the NGAO officer who registers the highest number of ID card applicants during the exercise will receive a brand-new car.

By Shitsili Kulabi

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