Bungoma governor hopeful and Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi has urged the national government to fast-track the processing and issuance of national identity cards (IDs) warning that delays could disenfranchise thousands of eligible youths ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking during a public engagement with his supporters in Bungoma on Friday, Wanyonyi said the slow processing of IDs is frustrating first-time applicants’ particularly young people who have attained the age of 18 and are eager to register as voters.

“I’m appealing to chiefs and all government agencies involved in the registration of persons to increase the speed of registering our young people so that they can get their IDs quickly and register as voters,” he said.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislator noted that the national ID is not only crucial for voting but also a gateway to essential government services, employment opportunities, higher education enrollment and financial transactions.

“Every government service requires an ID. Without it, our young people cannot access opportunities such as HELB loans, job applications, business registration or even open bank accounts,” he added.

Wanyonyi offered to support registration officials in conducting outreach drives at the grassroots to ensure more youths are captured in the system.

He proposed mobile registration exercises targeting public gatherings to reach as many applicants as possible.

“Go to churches, mosques, markets and other places where people gather and capture the young people there. We must ensure no one is left out,” he said.

He also called on chiefs to promptly distribute already processed IDs that are reportedly lying uncollected in their offices.

“Publish lists of IDs that are idling in chiefs’ offices and place them in churches, markets and mosques so that owners can collect them,” he stated.

Wanyonyi emphasized that timely issuance of IDs would enhance voter registration and promote greater civic participation among the youth, whom he described as a critical voting bloc in the 2027 elections.

Turning to county matters, the gubernatorial aspirant rallied Bungoma residents to support his bid for the top seat, saying he has traversed the county and listened to the concerns of the locals.

He pledged to prioritize improvements in the health sector citing the need to equip county hospitals with adequate drugs, modern medical equipment and sufficient medical personnel to reduce referrals to facilities outside the county.

“Our people should not travel long distances seeking treatment for conditions that can be handled in Bungoma. We must strengthen our health facilities from the dispensary level to the county referral hospital,” he said.

On infrastructure, Wanyonyi promised to upgrade road networks to ease transport for farmers and traders, arguing that poor roads have continued to hinder economic growth in rural areas.

He said better roads would enhance market access, lower transport costs and attract investment.

Wanyonyi said his leadership would focus on accountability, inclusivity and service delivery, adding that Bungoma residents deserve responsive governance that addresses their everyday challenges.