Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to scrapping discriminatory vetting practices for national Identity Card (ID) issuance.
Speaking at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, on Tuesday during a meeting with Members of Parliament from Northern Kenya, Prof. Kindiki emphasized that the policy shift, spearheaded by President William Ruto, is here to stay in a move to build a united and equitable nation.
“I am happy with the policy interventions that dealt with discriminatory tendencies on issuance of IDs. They have made some sectarian people uncomfortable. But we must do them for the sake of forging a united and prosperous country,” said the Deputy President.
The DP affirmed that inclusion, equity, and national unity are pillars of the Kenya Kwanza administration, adding communities previously marginalized will no longer be sidelined.
“Every part of Kenya deserves equal treatment. Areas that have lagged behind must receive affirmative action from the government,” he said.
Major Projects Unfold in Northern Kenya
The DP at the same time highlighted the ongoing infrastructure projects under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), aimed at unlocking economic potential in previously underserved regions.
Key among them is the completion of the 750 km Isiolo-Modogashe-Wajir-Kotulo-Elwak-Rhamu-Mandera road, a transformative corridor expected to drive commerce and connectivity.
“The securitization of the roads levy has brought stalled road projects back to life. Contractors are returning to sites abandoned for years. Roads like Lamu-Ijara-Garissa and Isiolo-Mandera are now back on track,” Kindiki revealed.
UHC Uptake Surges Amid Reforms
Speaking on health, the DP noted that over 25.4 million Kenyans have enrolled under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme through the Social Health Authority (SHA), despite early resistance.
“Right now, half of Kenyans have medical cover. Every day, over 50,000 people register. By 2027, over 35 million Kenyans will be covered. That is a huge milestone,” he said.
Kindiki further noted that government is working to streamline direct delivery of drugs and equipment from KEMSA to health facilities to curb drug shortage in the hospitals.
The DP also emphasized that the Affordable Housing program is a national initiative and will not exclude any county.
“In 20 years, 60 percent of Kenyans will be living in urban centres. We will have urban centres in Wajir, Garissa, Mandera and the rest of the country because this program is timely and critical to Kenya’s future, ”he added.
Northern MPs Laud Historic Development Push
Lawmakers from Northern Kenya who spoke praised the government’s unprecedented development footprint in the region, with Daadab MP Farah Maalim calling it the most impactful since independence.
“We want the President to be reelected for the first time in 63 years. We consider ourselves full citizens of this country,” said Maalim.
Eldas legislator and North Eastern Parliamentary Caucus Chair, Adan Keynan, echoed this sentiment, saying it was time to push back against community profiling.
“There are individuals who have taken time to profile the communities we represent. This is the time to reverse that narrative,” he said.
