Ugandan Nationals Nabbed With Kenyan IDs In Busia
Concerns are growing in Busia County after people reported an increase in the number of Ugandan nationals illegally carrying Kenyan national identity cards.
Residents are concerned about an increase in the number of foreign people using public services intended for Kenyans.
The problem has prompted disagreement among people, with some alleging that the Kenya-Uganda border’s nature has made it easier for undocumented individuals to merge into local communities and fraudulently obtain official identification.
According to neighbors, Ugandans are easily handed IDs, whereas Kenyans struggle to obtain the vital document.
The residents claim that despite the government removing the traditional nature of stricter vetting requirements, the requirement is still in place for Kenyans.
“We are not happy at all. Ugandans are coming in and getting ID cards without verification and vetting. But for us as residents, we find it hard to get the documents,” one resident stated.
“The vetting process is still there, especially for us as Kenyans, but Ugandans are getting it easily,” another one added.
The rising number of Ugandans with Kenyan ID cards has raised questions over the credibility of the coming general elections in 2027, with fears that foreigners might be allowed to vote since they possess IDs.
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However, officials attribute the rise in the number of Ugandans holding Kenyan IDs to the nature of the Busia border with Uganda.
There is less verification for Kenyans and Ugandans going to either country, as residents move in and out of either country at will.
Intermarriage has also been termed a major reason why the issuance has increased.
Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has, however, asked chiefs and local authorities to assess the Ugandans who are married in Busia to provide them with the critical document.
“Our chiefs should sensitise those who are in this country rightfully through marriage that they are able to acquire documents that make them legally able to be in this country,” Kipsang stated on Thursday, May 20, during a visit to the county.
Ugandan Nationals Nabbed With Kenyan IDs In Busia
