President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the National Registration Bureau (NRB) to issue identity cards within three days of application.
In his tour of Central Kenya to rally residents to register as voters yesterday, President Kenyatta said the NRB was taking too long to process and issue the document. He said this disadvantages those who intend to register as voters and stops them from enjoying crucial government services.
“I wonder why it takes weeks to process the documents. This is a process that should take three days so as to ensure youths register as voters,” he said.
Although the initial presidential itinerary indicated that he would first visit his Mt Kenya backyard, the programme has been revised to include other parts of the country.
Yesterday, he was in Isiolo and is expected in Meru today before proceeding to Samburu, Garissa, Kitui, Marsabit and later Kajiado.
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Heavy rains
In Nyeri town, the President’s address was interrupted by heavy rains and he prayed for the same countrywide for Kenyans to get enough food and save dying livestock.
He will return to Mt Kenya later and tour Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Tharaka Nithi and Embu before heading to Nakuru and Mombasa in a tentative schedule seen by the media.
President Kenyatta said it was time to “silence the Opposition once and for all by beating them with a large margin in this year’s elections”.
He warned administrators, especially chiefs, against denying the youth a chance to register as voters. He noted that chiefs were frustrating the youth by demanding bribes and warned that action will be taken against the errant administrators. He asked Kenyans to report any administrator demanding bribes.
“Give us the names of these chiefs demanding bribes and we will take necessary action. Nobody should be an impediment to serving Kenyans,” said Kenyatta.
He addressed roadside rallies in Kiamariga, Karatina, Ichamara, Mukurweini, Gakindu, Othaya, Giathenge, Kiandu, Nyeri town, King’ong’o, Kiganjo and concluded at Chaka market in a tour that covered all the six constituencies of Nyeri County.
In all the stops he made, Kenyatta pleaded with the locals, especially youths, to register in large numbers to participate in the forthcoming General Election.
“We should not give excuses or wait for the last minute, the time to register is now so that when August comes every eligible voter would cast their ballot,” he told cheering crowds that welcomed him.
Saying the electorate will decide the leaders they want, President Kenyatta said there were no preferred candidates in the Jubilee Party.
“All aspirants vying for the Jubilee Party ticket will be accorded equal opportunity and wananchi will have the final say on which candidate will fly the party’s flag in their area,” said the President.
Just as he did in Murang’a the previous day, Kenyatta did not allow local leaders to address the gathering, except Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko who spoke due to public demand.
Sonko said former Mungiki members who had discarded their ID cards should be given new ones to enable them register as voters.
President Kenyatta asked aspirants to embrace peace when they seek votes from the electorate.
“As you go out to seek votes, do not divide Kenyans or incite the youth to fight. Kenya are smart people and they will elect leaders based on their commitment to development,” said Uhuru.
Earlier on at Sagana State Lodge, the President was hosted in a vernacular radio station where he insisted that Jubilee Party was committed to winning most seats in Nairobi, including the governorship.
He said leaders aspiring for the governor’s seat will agree so as ensure Jubilee dethrones CORD from the Kenya’s capital leadership.
