Haki Centre Calls for Affirmative Action and End to Vetting in ID Registration

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The Haki Centre has called for urgent reforms in Kenya’s civil registration system saying the government should adopt affirmative action policies to support vulnerable communities facing challenges in acquiring essential documents such as birth certificates and national identity cards.

Speaking during a media sensitization forum on citizen registration and rights, haki centre program officer Andrew Ochola emphasised the need to abolish discriminatory vetting practices that disproportionately affect marginalized groups.

He cited the Pemba and Makonde communities as among those still struggling to obtain national identity documents due to bureaucratic hurdles, logistical barriers, and limited access to information.

“We recommend the complete removal of vetting for Kenyans seeking identity documents. The process disadvantages the less privileged and continues to exclude communities like the Pemba,” he said.

As the country approaches the electioneering period, the centre is calling for the fast-tracking of registration efforts to ensure all eligible citizens are documented and can fully participate in the democratic process.

The officer stressed that the right to documentation was fundamental and enshrined in law, adding that identification documents should not be difficult to acquire.

“We’ve recorded that those who were under 18 years old during previous mass registrations should now be allowed to register without restrictions. There is a significant gap that must be addressed.”

Data presented by the organization indicates that one in every ten Kenyans faces difficulties acquiring civil registration documents; statistics the centre describes as alarming.

The centre is also pushing for a review of the fees charged for acquiring identity cards and birth certificates. It argues that many Kenyans are unable to afford the costs due to poverty and other socio-economic challenges.

“The government must decentralize registration services to the grassroots, review outdated and unfair policies, and deploy adequate personnel to meet growing demand,” he urged.

In addition to decentralisation, the centre is advocating for robust public sensitization campaigns to raise awareness about registration rights and procedures, particularly in remote and underserved regions.

The forum, which brought together journalists and civil society actors, highlighted the systemic barriers hindering access to identification and offered a series of policy recommendations to promote equity and inclusivity in the civil registration process.