DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua has raised concerns over delays and alleged irregularities in the issuance of national identification cards (IDs), urging Kenyans to collect the crucial documents as the country gears up for the 2027 General Election.

Gachagua acknowledged that many applicants are experiencing delays in receiving their identification cards, describing the situation as “wrong” and in need of urgent attention.

He claimed that in some areas, including Limuru, thousands of IDs remain uncollected, citing an estimate of about 2,000 pending cards. He also alleged that some individuals are being asked to pay up to KSh300 to collect their IDs, despite the process being free. He urged Kenyans not to pay any fees and instead report such cases to the relevant authorities.

Gachagua further claimed that some chiefs, particularly in parts of the Central region, have allegedly been instructed to step back from the ID issuance process, which he suggested could be contributing to inefficiencies.

At the same time, he contrasted this with what he described as increased efforts in other regions, alleging that local administrators are actively delivering IDs door-to-door.

The former Deputy President also made claims that the government is issuing identification documents to non-citizens from neighboring countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Somalia, suggesting that the move is politically motivated. However, these claims have not been independently verified.

He emphasised the importance of national IDs, noting that they are critical for accessing services and participating in the electoral process, and urged those who have not collected theirs to do so promptly.

The remarks come amid ongoing national conversations around identification processes, service delivery, and electoral preparedness ahead of the next general election.