National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged administrators in Bungoma County to exempt residents from the rigorous vetting process during application for National Identity Cards (IDs).

Mr. Wetang’ula’s utterances came on the backdrop of President William Ruto’s order issued in North Eastern Kenya earlier in the month where he gave the directives.

Wetang’ula told chiefs and their assistants to use their positions to push eligible citizens, especially youths to get IDs after the president cushioned them from barriers that denied them the important document.

This as he challenged them to intensify campaigns and ensure eligible citizens acquire the vital document.

Speaking when he hosted political leaders and the administrators at his home in Bungoma, Wetang’ula reminded the administrators that the president’s order is not meant for the North Eastern region alone.

“I support the president’s directive on removal of vetting of ID applicants. I want to clarify that the directive is not meant for the North Eastern region only but applicable countrywide,” he added.

The Speaker noted that the order got rid of the colonial restrictions that made it hard to acquire an ID.

“Most youths shied away from applying for IDs because of the unnecessary restrictions they are subjected to. I have seen Kenyans above 60 years who do not have IDs because they don’t meet the requirements,” he said.

He added that the government would devolve the ID issuance bureaus to hasten the process of acquiring the document.

“We had a meeting with the president and he agreed that the government will decentralise more services related to issuance of IDs except for printing to make the process faster and have applicants get the document on time,” he added.

The Speaker challenged MPs and MCAs who were present to ensure that the number of registered voters is increased as a result of majority of residents acquiring IDs.

“I urge politicians to mobilize all ID holders to register as voters. We are targeting to increase our numbers of registered voters from more than 600,000 to one million,” he said.

He added: “Bungoma is the third largest county in the country and there is no justification as to why we have not hit one million registered voters.”

On stalled road projects in the county, the Speaker notified the meeting that the government has allocated Kshs 1.5 billion in the supplementary budget for the completion projects.

“Critics have been all over making noise about the stalled roads projects that the president launched during his tour of the region. The good news is that money has been set aside for the projects and in the next three weeks you will see them up and running,” he explained.

On the financially trapped Nzoia Sugar factory, Wetang’ula said that the government has identified a potential firm to lease the factory to.

This, he said, is a measure aimed at reviving the mill for the benefit of suffering farmers.

He noted that those opposed to the leasing of the factory did not have farmers’ interests at heart.

“I urge farmers who relied on the sugar mill for their livelihood to ignore critics who were opposed to plans and reminded them that the leaders in Nyanza region have rallied behind plans to lease Sony, Miwani, Muhoroni and Chemilil sugar mills.”

He added that in the leasing deal, they have agreed that the new investor should pay all farmers and staff dues, install a new crushing machine and set aside six percent of farmers’ due for their bonus.

“The bonus programmes started by the president for the farmers should be implemented by the new investor for the good of the farmer,” he added.

He encouraged farmers to venture into coffee farming to benefit from increased prices of the cash crop from Kshs.50 per kilogramme to Kshs.114.

He once again encouraged leaders to step up campaigns to have the majority of residents register for the new medical scheme, SHA, so as to benefit from the programme while seeking treatment.

Governor Kenneth Lusaka led MPs in supporting the leasing of Nzoia Sugar factory noting that it was the only way to get the factory out of the financial woes.

“Leasing of the factory is a good idea that should be supported by farmers who are attached to the mill,” said the governor.

Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli said it was good that the government had allocated money for completion of the stalled roads.

“Completion of the stalled roads would open up the county and make movement of people and goods easier,” he added.

Other MPs who supported leasing of the factory include John Chikati (Tongaren), John Makali (Kanduyi) Martin Pepela (Webuye East) and Kiminini’s Didmus Barasa.

MCAs who attended the meeting were led by the County Assembly Speaker Emanuel Situma and Majority Leader Joseph Nyongesa among others.