Revolution in Kenyan ID Access: Govt Deploys High-Tech Mobile Units for 3-Day Issuance in Marginalized Regions

In a historic step toward inclusion and digital transformation, Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has unveiled a bold initiative aimed at solving one of the country’s most persistent administrative inequalities, the lack of national identification cards among residents of marginalized communities. 

Murkomen announced on Thursday, June 16, that the government is rolling out ‘Mobile Live Capture Units’, portable, battery-powered machines that will enable swift ID registration and issuance in hard-to-reach areas.  

These devices, currently undergoing pilot testing in Turkana County, are designed to electronically capture personal data of applicants and transmit it instantly for processing. 

According to Murkomen, the innovation will cut down the ID issuance process to just three days, a massive leap forward for communities where acquiring national documents often involves weeks of waiting, long travels, and multiple bureaucratic hurdles. 

“Applicants registered through this system will receive their ID cards in three days,” Murkomen stated. “In Turkana County alone, over 400,000 adults still don’t have IDs. These mobile units are a game-changer for our pastoral communities.” 

The pilot project in Turkana is just the beginning. Once the machines prove successful, the government plans to roll them out across 14 other counties, including Garissa, Mandera, Kilifi, Wajir, Taita Taveta, Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, Lamu, West Pokot, Tana River, Narok, and Kwale  all areas known for infrastructure challenges, insecurity, and limited access to government services. 

In Kenya, having a national ID is essential. It serves as proof of citizenship and is necessary to access services such as government aid, employment, healthcare, banking, and education. Without it, citizens are often rendered invisible to public systems. 

“Many pastoral communities in Kenya have difficulties accessing essential government services,” Murkomen explained. “These machines will ensure no one is left behind.” 

While the national government targets rural and marginalized communities, the Mombasa County Government is making headlines with its own identification initiative, a proposed ‘Mombasa Resident’s Card’. 

Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, speaking on July 10 during a public engagement, revealed that the card would be designed to facilitate cheaper access to public services, particularly in healthcare and education.  

The initiative will rely on biometric data and detailed resident information such as birthplace and current residence. 

“Each year, we spend over KES 130 million on hospital fee waivers. To make this support more sustainable, we’re proposing the Mombasa Resident’s Card, your key to discounted rates across County public services,” said the governor. 

Once approved through public participation, the cards will be created and distributed, aligning with Mombasa’s broader vision for a data-driven, inclusive county administration. 

The dual developments, from the national deployment of mobile ID tech in remote counties to Mombasa’s localized citizen service card, signal a new era of identity-based service delivery in Kenya. 

These innovations represent more than just administrative upgrades; they are powerful tools of inclusion, citizenship, and empowerment for millions who have long been excluded from the benefits of modern governance. 

As Kenya embraces technology for social equity, the message is clear: every Kenyan counts, and every Kenyan deserves to be seen.