Kenya Moves to Address Statelessness as Communities Struggle Without IDs
Published: 6/Dec/2025
Source: Kahawatungu.com (Nairobi)
By David Wafula
The Kenyan National Assembly has pledged full support for the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Bill after hearing harrowing stories from residents in Kinondo, Kwale County, who have been living without national identification documents.
During a recent engagement, the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security met with community members who detailed how lacking IDs has blocked them from basic services for years. Many revealed that they cannot secure employment, access healthcare, open bank accounts, or benefit from aid programs. Others said they are unable to vote, enroll their children in school, or travel freely, leaving them trapped in poverty and marginalization.
“We do not have IDs, and because of that, we cannot work or get any assistance,” one resident explained. Another noted that families are forced to pay high costs for healthcare because they cannot access public insurance schemes. Some residents, though born in Kenya, face repeated questioning of their citizenship due to historical ties with neighboring countries like Burundi.
Read further: https://kahawatungu.com/kenya-moves-to-address-statelessness-as-communities-struggle-without-ids/