'One million Nyanza residents have IDs but no voter cards': PS Omollo urges registration

Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo has urged eligible Kenyans in the Nyanza region to register as voters, revealing that nearly one million people already possess national identity cards but are yet to acquire voter cards.

Speaking on Saturday during an engagement with women’s groups and residents in Suna East Constituency, Migori County, Dr. Omollo said the government's decision to remove administrative barriers to acquiring national identity cards had opened the door for more Kenyans to participate in the country's democratic process through voter registration.

"In the Nyanza region alone, we have close to one million people who have national identity cards but do not have voter cards. We are working together with all these leaders to make it possible for all of you, under the leadership of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), to access voter registration so that you have the power in your hands to decide who your leaders will be," he said.

He said the removal of hurdles that previously made it difficult for citizens to obtain identity cards had made it easier for more Kenyans to access government services, while also creating an opportunity to boost voter registration ahead of next year's General Election.

Dr. Omollo also rallied support for President William Ruto's re-election, saying leaders in the region had agreed to work together to deliver votes for the Head of State.

"When we go to the elections next year, the re-election of President William Ruto will no longer be in question. It will be a guarantee, so that he can continue the transformation that he has started and that he is undertaking in the Republic of Kenya," he said.

The PS also highlighted the government's investment in education, noting that the sector continues to receive the largest allocation in the national budget.

He said the recruitment of more than 100,000 teachers in less than three years demonstrates the government's commitment to ensuring every child has access to quality education.

"We do not want any child to miss the opportunity to learn because of a lack of teachers. That is why the Government continues to invest heavily in education to secure the future of our children and our country," he said.

On healthcare, Dr. Omollo urged residents who are yet to enroll under the Social Health Authority (SHA) to do so, noting that more than 54 per cent of Migori County residents have already registered and are benefiting from affordable healthcare services.

He further reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening security and improving service delivery, calling on residents to remain united and support development programmes aimed at transforming Migori County and the country at large.