In a push to close the gap in access to vital documentation, the Kenyan government has begun deploying mobile ID registration units to some of the country’s most remote and underserved counties.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the rollout on Thursday, stating that the move is aimed at ensuring equity in the issuance of national identity cards, especially in historically marginalised areas.
“These documents are not just pieces of plastic,” said Murkomen during a stop in West Pokot. “They are the key to employment, education, healthcare, and the ability to participate fully in national life. That’s why we’re prioritising access in regions that have long been left behind.”
The Mobile Live Capture Units — portable, battery-powered machines — are currently being piloted in select counties. They are designed to swiftly collect biometric data and transmit it electronically, allowing applicants to receive their IDs within as little as three days.
Counties in the pilot programme include Turkana, Garissa, Mandera, Kilifi, Wajir, Taita Taveta, Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, Lamu, West Pokot, Tana River, Narok, and Kwale.
The new system comes alongside a policy shift: the controversial mandatory vetting process previously required for applicants in border counties has been scrapped.
“We’ve heard the frustrations, and we’ve acted,” said Murkomen. “We’ve removed the extra vetting step — which frankly, was discriminatory — but we’ve also reinforced safeguards to ensure that only eligible applicants are registered.”
The safeguards, he noted, involve tighter checks within the digital system to prevent misuse or fraudulent applications.
Murkomen made the announcement while on his Jukwaa La Usalama tour — a series of open town-hall-style forums that bring together government officials, community leaders, and residents. The sessions are designed to gather public feedback on service delivery, development, and security issues.
The caravan has already covered 14 counties across the Coast and Eastern regions. The Rift Valley leg began on Wednesday, and the initiative is expected to extend to other regions in the coming months.
Residents who spoke at the event in West Pokot welcomed the new technology but called for more consistent outreach. “It’s good that help is finally reaching us,” said Esther Lokaale, a local youth leader. “But we also need the government to make this a regular service, not a one-time effort.”
As the rollout continues, the government says it hopes to not only improve service delivery but also rebuild trust among communities who have felt excluded from national systems for decades.