Makonde community seek government intervention over ID registration hurdles

CHARI SUCHE-KNA

Some members of the Makonde community in Kwale County are appealing to the government to ease requirements for acquiring National Identity Cards, saying many who were left-out during the community’s registration and recognition process in 2016 and 2017 continue to face difficulties proving their citizenship.

The affected individuals, most of whom were minors during the historic registration exercise that culminated in the recognition of the Makonde as Kenya’s 43rd tribe, say they are now unable to obtain Identity Cards due to the requirement for citizenship certificates.

Without Identity Cards, many are unable to access employment opportunities, government services, financial institutions services and higher education opportunities.

Among those affected is 27-year-old, Anna Zacharia Mushiiri, who missed the registration exercise because she was living in Malindi at the time and was unaware of the process. 

“During the registration period, I was not in Kwale. I was born in Makongeni but grew up in Malindi. By the time I learnt that members of the community were being registered and issued documents, the exercise had already ended,” she stressed adding repeated attempts to obtain a national identity card have been unsuccessful.

“Whenever registration officers come to the area, I try to apply but I am always asked to produce a citizenship certificate, which I do not have,” she said.

According to Mushiiri, even presenting documents belonging to her parents has not helped resolve the issue.

Her predicament mirrors that of many young people from the community who were underage during the registration exercise and were therefore not issued citizenship certificates.