MP Makali Mulu Criticizes Selective Suspension of ID Vetting in North Eastern .

On February 11, 2025 – Kitui Central Member of Parliament Hon. Makali Mulu called for fairness in the mandatory vetting process for the issuance of identification documents, warning against selective exemptions that could undermine national cohesion.Speaking on the matter, Hon. Mulu emphasized that while the vetting process is crucial for national security, it must be non-discriminatory and respectful of human rights.

He questioned the Kenya Kwanza government’s decision to suspend vetting for the Somali community while leaving out other border communities that also undergo the process, such as the Turkanas, some Coastal communities, and other marginalized groups.”If the government is suspending vetting, it should do so for all communities, not just one.

Otherwise, this raises suspicions of a hidden agenda,” Mulu stated.The vetting process has been a contentious issue in Kenya, with affected communities often citing delays and discrimination in acquiring national identification cards.

The suspension for Somalis, announced recently by the Kenya Kwanza administration, has sparked debate over whether it signals a shift in policy or political favoritism.

Hon. Mulu urged the government to ensure that any changes to the vetting process are applied equitably and in a manner that does not divide Kenyans along ethnic or regional lines.

As the debate continues, the government is yet to clarify why only one community was exempted from vetting, leaving other border populations still subjected to the lengthy process.