WADJIR (SD) – President William Ruto has signed an official presidential proclamation formally abolishing the verification of identity cards for residents of the North Eastern region of Kenya.

The President stated that this move will simplify access to national identification documents for people living in Northern Kenya.

Ruto described the presidential proclamation on the registration and issuance of identification documents in the border regions as a step toward ending injustices and discriminatory practices.

He made these remarks after publicly signing and reading the decree at Orahey Stadium in Wajir on Wednesday.

The President noted that for many years, residents of the North Eastern region endured extra scrutiny by government agencies before obtaining birth certificates and identification cards.

Present at the signing ceremony were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and regional governors Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamed (Wajir), Mohamed Adan Khalif (Mandera), and Nathif Jama Adam (Garissa).

The President is on a four-day development tour of Northern Kenya. On Tuesday, he visited Mandera. On Thursday and Friday, he will visit the counties of Garissa and Isiolo, respectively.

Ruto urged residents of the North Eastern region to support the government, emphasizing that this will strengthen national unity and cohesion.

During the development inspection, the President also assessed ongoing construction projects, including the Wajir Township Affordable Housing Project, Wajir Hospital, and the Wajir aggregation and industrial park.