Lack of Resources and Challenging Terrain Hamper Identity Card Acquisition in Marakwet Sub Counties

Kapsowar Thursday, July 13, 2023

KNA by Rennish Okong’o

Residents in some parts of Marakwet West and East sub-counties face difficulties in acquiring identity cards due to a lack of sufficient resources, challenging terrain, and low awareness levels.

According to Tereza Kiptoo, the sub-county registrar, late registrations were prevalent, particularly in the Embobut/Embolot and Kapyego wards in Marakwet East, and Chebororwa ward in Marakwet West.

To address this challenge, Ms. Kiptoo called for intensified mobile registration efforts in these regions to capture those who have not yet obtained the vital document.

Kiptoo also attributed the low number of identity card holders in these areas to a lack of exposure and the presence of only one office serving both sub-counties.

Many residents, she added, perceived the Marakwet West sub-county office to be far away and thus evade traveling there to register.

To overcome this hurdle, she advised residents willing to register to apply for the document at their respective chief's offices as it would be less cumbersome than traveling to the main office. “Acquiring an identity card is a right rather than a privilege,” said Kiptoo.

She encouraged residents without identity cards to promptly apply for it noting that an identity card is a crucial document that enables individuals to access various government and other services.

And to address the issue effectively, Kiptoo said her department planned to launch mobile registration campaigns in the affected regions.

“These campaigns will bring the registration services closer to the people, reducing the distance and logistical challenges they face when accessing the main office,” the officer stressed.

By implementing such initiatives, she noted, the government aims to increase awareness about the importance of identity cards to convince those unregistered in the region to apply for the document.

Additionally, she said efforts are being made to allocate more resources to the office to enhance the registration process. “The aim is to ensure that the necessary equipment, staff, and materials are available to expedite the issuance of identity cards,’’ Kiptoo explained.

Courtesy ; K. N. A