Usawa Ni Sawa: How PS Raymond Omollo Is Expanding National ID Access for Equity and Growth

Under the leadership of President William Ruto, the Government of Kenya has launched a nationwide initiative to ensure every citizen enjoys equitable access to National Identification cards. Championing this initiative, Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo is coordinating grassroots administrative structures to eliminate historical, geographical, and financial barriers to registration.

Guided by the principle Usawa Ni Sawa—which emphasizes that equal rights and opportunities belong to all Kenyans regardless of origin—the government made a decisive move in March 2025 by scrapping National ID application and replacement fees. This policy shift removed financial hurdles for low-income households and marginalized populations.

To bridge geographical divides, PS Omollo has activated chiefs, assistant chiefs, and local administrators to conduct targeted registration drives and facilitate document collection directly within remote communities. By bringing these essential services to the doorstep of every Kenyan, the Ministry is significantly cutting travel costs and expanding access in historically underserved regions, including Northern Kenya and coastal communities like the Pemba in Kilifi.

Beyond proving citizenship, acquiring a National ID serves as a direct gateway to social and economic empowerment. Armed with an ID, citizens can access vital individual opportunities, including enrolling in the Social Health Authority (SHA), opening bank accounts, joining NSSF, applying for HELB loans, securing affordable housing via Boma Yangu, and registering on KIAMIS for subsidized agricultural inputs.

Furthermore, expanded registration builds robust national data systems that drive targeted development planning. Accurate population records allow both national and county governments to optimize resource allocation, plan infrastructure projects, track healthcare coverage, and deliver targeted relief during climate emergencies like floods or droughts.

Through these grassroots administrative efforts, PS Dr. Raymond Omollo is translating national policy into tangible everyday access, ensuring that progress, service delivery, and economic growth leave no Kenyan behind.