Kenya: Revealed: State to use biometrics, family tree for ID vetting in North Eastern
Published: 24/Feb/2025
Source: Eastleigh Voice (Nairobi)
By Lucy Mumbi
Family tree verification, electronic biometric capture and school-based registration are among the three new measures that will be used during the vetting of national identification card applicants in North Eastern to enhance transparency, efficiency, and national security.
The State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services has introduced three new measures to streamline the vetting process for individuals seeking identification cards.
The move follows President William Ruto’s decision to scrap the 60-year-old vetting requirement for ID applicants in border regions.
According to the department, the guidelines seek to ensure a transparent and efficient system for all applicants.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the guidelines aim to eliminate long-standing discrimination while ensuring that only legitimate applicants receive identification documents.
Murkomen said the family tree verification will trace an applicant’s lineage to confirm their Kenyan citizenship. The second measure involves equipping chiefs and assistant chiefs with electronic biometric devices to capture applicants’ data digitally, improving accuracy and security.
The third guideline entails school-based registration, where teachers will assist in verifying genuine applicants.
“The ministry has developed guidelines on the vetting of applicants for IDs. This brings to an end the over 60-year discrimination Kenyans from Northern Kenya and other border counties have been subjected to,” Murkomen said.
Read further: https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/id%20vetting/118547/revealed-state-to-use-biometrics-family-tree-for-id-vetting-in-north-eastern