By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 4 July 2026 - Kenya's preparations for the next General Election have quietly begun, not at the ballot box but at identity card registration centres.
The government's renewed campaign to encourage young people to acquire national identity cards is emerging as a critical step towards expanding the country's electoral roll while addressing long-standing concerns over exclusion in parts of the country.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo has urged all Kenyans who have attained the age of 18, particularly those living in border counties, to apply for national identity cards following President William Ruto's decision to abolish the lengthy vetting process that had, for decades, delayed registration for thousands of eligible citizens.
"The process has now been simplified. Every eligible Kenyan should obtain an identity card because it is not only a constitutional right but also the gateway to accessing government services and participating in national development," Dr Omollo said during a public engagement in Kisumu.
Under Kenyan law, possession of a national identity card is the first legal requirement before one can register as a voter with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Political analysts therefore view the government's latest registration campaign as a significant precursor to the rebuilding and expansion of the country's electoral register ahead of the next polls.
The IEBC's current register contains just over 22 million voters, following continuous registration exercises conducted before and after the 2022 General Election.
However, demographic projections indicate that millions of young Kenyans have since attained voting age, creating pressure for fresh registration once the electoral commission resumes full operations under its newly constituted leadership.
Successive elections have demonstrated that youth voters increasingly determine electoral outcomes. Yet many remain outside the register because they lack national identity cards, especially in communities where previous vetting procedures delayed or discouraged registration.
Dr Omollo argued that removing those administrative barriers restores equality among citizens while enabling government institutions to plan more effectively using accurate population records.
"Every Kenyan deserves equal access to identification documents. They are essential for accessing government services and ensuring nobody is left behind in national development," he said.
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The registration campaign comes as Kenya begins laying institutional groundwork for the next electoral cycle, with attention shifting towards rebuilding public confidence in electoral processes after years of political contestation.
Alongside the registration drive, Dr Omollo pledged a sustained security operation against criminal gangs operating in Kisumu County, saying public safety remains essential for economic growth and democratic participation.
"We must work together with our security agencies so that we flush out all the criminal elements," he said, adding that the country's security laws provide sufficient powers to investigate, arrest and prosecute those involved in organised crime and violence.
He said the national government was working closely with local leaders and security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and dismantle criminal networks that have disrupted peace in parts of the county.
Dr Omollo also linked security with development, arguing that stable communities are better placed to benefit from government investment in education, infrastructure and economic opportunities.
He noted that the education sector continues to receive the largest share of the national budget, exceeding KSh 780 billion, to support teacher recruitment, expand learning infrastructure and improve access to quality education.
"It cannot be that other Kenyans are benefiting from education, and the people of Seme and the people of Kisumu do not benefit," he said.
The government's message in Kisumu reflected a broader strategy that combines national security, expanded access to identity documents and increased public investment. Together, officials argue, those measures will strengthen citizenship, improve service delivery and ensure more Kenyans are able to participate fully in both national development and future elections.