President William Ruto has announced the abolishment of vetting during the national ID card application process for members of certain ethnic groups starting May 2024. 

The process involves the applicants, often Asians, Arabs and Nubians who are not considered ‘indigenous’ communities, being required to provide proof of Kenyan citizenship to be issued with ID cards.

It has for years sparked condemnation as the government is accused of ethnic and religious discrimination.

During a Muslim leaders' Iftar dinner at State House, Nairobi on Monday, Ruto said the government was amending the guidelines on ID card issuance to abolish the process which he described as discriminatory.

“Every Kenyan should be treated equally. We have changed the old policy and have concluded the policy documents. Beginning May this year, there will no longer be vetting for people who want to get their IDs,” the president told Muslim leaders.

“I will issue a policy document to ensure we have a mechanism similar to other Kenyans and don’t discriminate on the basis of religion or region.”

Such persons comprise Kenyans of Somali, Arab, Nubian and Asian backgrounds.

During the ID application process, once they attain 18 years of age, government officials in registration bureau offices ask them for extra birth certificates such as their parents and grandparents.

A 2011 report by the U.S.-based Open Society Justice Initiative found that since vetting was introduced in the 1990s, many of these people have not acquired national IDs.

Meanwhile, some of those who have acquired theirs admitted to lying that they belong to another ethnic group or about their name to avoid being vetted.