Nairobi: The Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services, Mr. Belio Kipsang, recently led a forum aimed at empowering chiefs and assistant chiefs to effectively implement government initiatives at the grassroots level. This sensitisation session, held in Isiolo town, brought together various local administrators and officers from multiple departments across all sub-counties.
According to Kenya News Agency, the discussions at the forum revolved around several key issues, including the issuance of national identification documents, combating alcohol and drug abuse, and ensuring a 100 percent transition policy for learners moving to senior school. Mr. Kipsang highlighted the constitutional right to acquire national ID documents, which are crucial for accessing a range of services including education, employment, and financial opportunities.
In a significant policy shift, the government abolished vetting committees for ID issuance in 2025 to address issues of delays, corruption, and discrimination, especially in marginalized areas. Chiefs are now tasked with the sole responsibility of certifying ID applicants within their communities. Mr. Kipsang stressed that chiefs are well-positioned to fairly verify applicants due to their deep understanding of local communities, and he urged them to maintain integrity and professionalism in this new role. He warned that any misuse of the process would lead to disciplinary action, noting that the new system is expected to significantly reduce waiting times for ID applicants.
On the subject of alcohol and drug abuse, Mr. Kipsang called for increased community sensitisation and stricter enforcement measures, pointing out that substance abuse poses a significant threat to social stability, youth productivity, and education. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving a full transition to senior school under the Competency-Based Education system and encouraged local administrators to collaborate with education stakeholders to address absenteeism and prevent school dropouts.
The forum is a component of a nationwide outreach programme by the Ministry of Interior, aimed at enhancing service delivery and accountability throughout the country.
