Aden Duale: Every Kenyan Has a Right to Identification Documents

BY; Kariuki Monroe

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Aden Duale has reaffirmed that every Kenyan citizen has the right to obtain identification documents without discrimination.

Duale’s remarks follow an online uproar sparked by President William Ruto’s directive to fast-track the issuance of identification cards to the Somali community. The directive has drawn mixed reactions, with concerns raised about the scrutiny some communities face in acquiring national documents.

Citing Article 12 of the Kenyan Constitution, Duale emphasized that every citizen is entitled to the rights, privileges, and benefits of citizenship.

“The Constitution clearly states that citizens have the right to Kenyan passports and any other identification documents issued by the state,” he said.

The CS decried what he termed as unnecessary scrutiny faced by communities in Northern Kenya when seeking birth certificates and national identification cards. He noted that such practices amount to discrimination and violate the principles of equality and citizenship rights.

“The law does not support selective issuance of identification documents, nor does it condone barriers that infringe on the rights of any Kenyan based on geography or ethnicity,” Duale stated.

His remarks add to the ongoing debate over fair access to identification documents, a critical issue that affects thousands of Kenyans, particularly in marginalized regions.