In Summary
- Communities undergoing vetting now face an additional fee for document verification, further marginalizing vulnerable groups
- Despite assurances that digital identity would remain optional, the government’s decision to cease printing 2nd generation national identity cards forces all Kenyans seeking IDs to enroll in Maisha Namba
- The Forum emphasizes that Maisha Namba fails to address existing flaws in citizenship processes and discriminatory practices against minority and marginalized communities
The Nubian Rights Forum, along with other civil society organizations , expresses serious concern over recent changes in the administration of nationality documents.This includes national IDs, birth certificates, and passports.
The government’s introduction of new regulations, coupled with increased fees for official documents and the implementation of the Maisha Namba digital ID system, disproportionately affects marginalized and minority communities.
The Nubian right forum
These changes aim to generate revenue but exclude those unable to afford the high fees.
This hinders their ability to fully participate in society.
As of March 1, 2024, the government announced significant fee increases for official documents, making them less accessible to the general population.
Additionally, communities undergoing vetting now face an additional fee for document verification, further marginalizing vulnerable groups.
For instance, individuals from communities like the Nubians must pay a substantial amount for a first-time ID application, creating a barrier to their social inclusion.
Today,13 March, the C.E.O of The Nubians Rights Forum,Shaffi Hussein held a press confrence at their office.
They have called on the government to reverse these changes, and ensure that essential nationality documents remain accessible to all Kenyans.
Read Also: Updated Charges For Passports,IDs ,Birth Certificates Begin.
New charge in the Nubian’s community
Communities subjected to the vetting process are now be forced to pay an additional KES 500 fee for documents verification.
It leads to further marginalization of already vulnerable communities.
This means that individuals from communities such as the Nubians will pay KES 800 for a first time ID applicant. It cannot be underscored just how crucial an ID, or a birth certificate is to fully participating.
‘’Everybody understood very well that, there is a hiking price on ID cards, ID cards now for each and every Kenyan is 300 shilling, my big problem is, if each and every Kenyan attaining the age of 18 will go for ID with 300 Kenya shilling, why is Nubians going with 850 Kenya shillings, then what is the meaning of article 27 of the constitution of Kenya, every person is equal before the law and have the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law, article 27(4) states, the state shall not discriminate direct or indirect, against any person on any ground including, rep, sex, religion, wranglers, marital status, health status, ethnic or social’’ narrated Shafi Ali Hussein.
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Despite assurances that digital identity would remain optional, the government’s decision to cease printing 2nd generation national identity cards forces all Kenyans seeking IDs to enroll in Maisha Namba.This exacerbates existing inequities.
Message to African Union
The forum’s C.E.O pointed out that he is going to prepare a letter to the AU chairperson Mr. Faki that the government writes letters that do not address Nubians issues
‘’The government is assisting our fellow Somali in the end of this Ramadham. It is going to open an immigration office at Garisa while Nubians are suffering. You are adding 550 Kenya shillings on top for each and every Nubian youth for verification of birth certificate. You want to say that only the Nubians birth certificate are going to be verified with 500 Kenya shillings, are you genuine?, I am preparing a letter, to Mr. Faki, the chairperson of African Union, because you seem to be writing some letters which reflect your own internal things while Nubians are suffering here in Kibra, in Kisii, in Kibos, in Mathira, and all over the country, so its high time in the next one week I write a letter to Musa Faki,’’ added Shafi Ali Hussein
This rushed implementation disregards ongoing legal challenges and undermines individuals’ access to essential services, exacerbating delays and frustration.
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The Forum emphasizes that Maisha Namba fails to address existing flaws in citizenship processes and discriminatory practices against minority and marginalized communities.
It highlights the need for a robust legal and data protection framework and meaningful inclusion of marginalized communities in the system’s design and implementation.
