24 April 2008
Nairobi — A motion intended to inject efficiency into Kenya's electoral process was passed Wednesday.
The motion calls for the merger of the national identity card and the voter's card.
This means Kenyans who attain the age of 18 and obtain the card will not have to register again as voters.
It was moved by Mr Ekwee Ethuro (Turkana Central, PNU).
Millions of youths have been disenfranchised in the past because they could not register to vote in time due to delays in the issuance of ID cards.
Immigration and Registration of Persons minister Otieno Kajwang' backed the motion. MPs debated the private member's motion for two and a half hours before passing it without amendments.
Fresh breath
Mr Ethuro said many Kenyans did not have identity and voter's cards, yet both documents were required on attaining age 18.
"The Ministry of Registration of Persons has fresh breath of air in the name of Mr Kajwang'. When I saw him singing bado mapambano (the struggle continues) I was sure he was ready to serve the public. I wish all the other 42 ministers will emulate him," said Mr Ethuro.
Mr Kajwang' said Kenyans had the right to acquire the national identity as well as elector's card to exercise their constitutional obligations.
The minister announced that he would raise the issue at the Cabinet. He will also propose that MPs form a committee to address issues related to issuance of the two crucial documents and report their findings to the House.
But Kuresoi MP Zakayo Cheruiyot of ODM urged caution, saying by doing so, citizens would surrender a lot of personal information to the Government. "This motion is well intended, but we should not give all the information to the Government because of security reasons. Citizens have a right to confidentiality," said the former Internal security permanent secretary.
Gender and Children Affairs minister Esther Murugi Mathenge, assistant ministers Calestus Mwatela, Danson Mungatana and Katoo ole Metito supported the motion.
Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim and MPs Charles Kilonzo (Yatta, ODM-K), James Rege (Karachuonyo, ODM), Mohammed Affey (nominated, ODM-K), Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu, ODM) as well as Olago Oluoch (Kisumu Town West, ODM), also backed the motion.
Other supporters were Mr Ngozi Rai (Kinango, Ford People), Mr Shabir Shakeel (Kisumu Town East, ODM) and Mr Johnstone Muthama (Kangundo, ODM-K).
Ms Mathenge said women were suffering, especially those in come-we-stay relations, because they were asked to provide affidavits from magistrates before they were issued with the IDs.
Mr Rege asked Mr Kajwang' to consider introducing electronic IDs as part of his reform agenda.
Mr Mungatana said ID and voter's cards contained same information. "Our country needs to move forward technologically and if there is one thing Mr Kajwang' has to pambana (struggle) with then it is this," the Garsen MP said.
Discrimination
He opposed inclusion of an applicant's tribe on the ID as it was misused in recent violence against targeted communities.
Mr Affey said residents of North Eastern Province were the worst affected because of discrimination, corruption and bureaucracy.
But Mr Mwatela asked Mr Kajwang' to be careful about procurement issues reminding him that one of the biggest financial scandals in the country, Anglo Leasing, was linked to a passport deal that went awry.
Reports by Odhiambo Orlale, Owino Opondo and Bernard Namunane
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