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{
    "id": 57290,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/57290/?format=api",
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    "content": "identity cards in their constituencies, locations, sub-locations and schools and receive them on the spot. This is possible. Some of us were given our national identity cards in our secondary schools when we were just finishing. We went outside, filled the forms and the IDs were produced on the spot. So, it is possible. The Government will say that it is centralizing the issuance of IDs, so that aliens do not have access to them. In fact, the easiest way to give aliens national identity cards is to centralize their issuance in Nairobi. It is here that this matter is being commercialized and not on the ground. On the ground, people know each other and if you are an alien, you are identified. Your family is known. But because it has been centralized, corruption has found its way into this acquisition. Many countries have decentralized State organs even in the neighbourhood. It is only in Kenya that even after the Constitution has said that you have a right to acquire this very important card, some people in the Government treat it as a privilege. They do not think it is a right. They think it is a privilege and a few people get it, but majority of the youths are now struggling. If the Minister will be honest enough to produce the data that he has for over the last just six months or even one year, the national identity cards that have not been released, but people have registered, are in the millions. If these people were given an opportunity to apply in their locations and then the IDs are produced at the district headquarters, it would be much easier. You will find that a lot of us have made a habit, as leaders, of visiting the national registration centre because our people have been denied the right to get this card. Every other day, you find a Member of Parliament queuing and trying to assist his constituents. This should not happen. We should be doing other things. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I know that the Department of Registration will be issuing excuses as to why this is not going to happen. But there should be no excuse because this is very clear. The House must be firm. I believe that once we pass this Motion, the Committee on Implementation of this House must immediately take up this matter to ensure that within the next six months, the issuance and the production of national identity cards are done in our constituencies, divisions and locations and at least, at the county headquarters. To start with, we have 47 counties. The Government should operationalize them and take the machines to the 47 counties because it has done it for the passports. I know it is a challenge for somebody from the North Eastern Province to get a passport. It is easy because you go to Garissa office and the passports are acquired there. Why is it difficult to get the identity cards if it is possible to get the passports in the provinces or even in the counties? I want to stop there and request hon. C. Kilonzo to second. With those remarks, I beg to move."
}