Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale Condemns Discriminatory Practices in Issuance of Identification Documents in Northern Kenya
This includes reviewing existing vetting procedures, eliminating discriminatory practices, and raising awareness about the rights of citizens concerning identification.
Forestry and Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. Photo/Aden Duale.
In a recent statement, Aden Duale, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Forestry, Environment, and Climate Change, emphasized that every Kenyan citizen is constitutionally entitled to registration and identification documents, as outlined in Article 12 of the Constitution.
He asserted that this entitlement is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and applies equally to all citizens, including those in Northern Kenya.
Duale expressed strong disapproval of the ongoing arbitrary vetting and ethnic profiling that communities in Northern Kenya face before being issued birth certificates and national identification cards.
He labeled these practices as unconstitutional and discriminatory, stating that they undermine the principles of equality and citizenship upon which the nation is founded.
The Cabinet Secretary highlighted that the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, Cap. 170, reinforces this right in Section 22, explicitly stating that every citizen is entitled to registration and identification documents, including birth certificates, national IDs, and passports.
He emphasized that the law does not provide for selective issuance nor condone barriers that infringe upon the rights of any Kenyan based on ethnicity or geography.
Addressing critics of the President’s directive to ensure equal access to identification documents, Duale reminded them that denying citizens their rightful documents is an affront to the Constitution and an injustice that must not be tolerated.
He asserted that the government is duty-bound to uphold the rule of law and dismantle any institutionalized discrimination hindering Kenyans from enjoying their full rights as citizens.
He concluded by stating, “This is not a matter of negotiation. It is a matter of justice, legality, and national unity.”
This statement comes amid ongoing concerns about the challenges residents of Northern Kenya face in obtaining identification documents.
Many have reported rigorous vetting processes and ethnic profiling, leading to delays and denials in the issuance of essential documents.
Such obstacles have significant implications, as identification documents are crucial for accessing various services, including education, healthcare, and employment.
Human rights organizations have long criticized these practices, arguing that they perpetuate marginalization and violate the constitutional rights of the affected communities.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has previously called for reforms to ensure that all citizens can access identification documents without discrimination or undue hindrance.
Duale’s condemnation of these discriminatory practices aligns with broader governmental efforts to promote inclusivity and equality across the country.
By reaffirming the constitutional rights of all citizens and calling for the elimination of unjust barriers, the government aims to foster a more unified and equitable society.
As the nation progresses, it remains imperative for the government and relevant authorities to implement measures that ensure the fair and equitable issuance of identification documents.
This includes reviewing existing vetting procedures, eliminating discriminatory practices, and raising awareness about the rights of citizens concerning identification.
The commitment to upholding the constitutional rights of all Kenyans, regardless of their ethnicity or region, is essential for national unity and the continued development of the country.
By addressing these issues head-on, Kenya moves closer to realizing the principles of equality and justice enshrined in its Constitution.
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