President Ruto to issue IDs to members of Pemba community

At least 7,000 members of the Pemba community will officially receive their national identification documents from President William Ruto.

Immigration and Citizen Service Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said this while inspecting the Karisa Maitha grounds in Kilifi town, which will be used by the government for the exercise that will take place on Friday, July 28.

Bitok, who was accompanied by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya said that the journey of officially recognizing the Pembas as a community in Kenya started with the Uhuru Kenyatta administration and it has been long.

He also thanked Baya for bringing the attention of the Pembas to the government during his first term as MP, adding that the government was in the process of recognizing all stateless persons in the country.

Among documents to be issued include identification cards (ID), birth certificates and passports which will help them enjoy government services and also get employment in government circles.

Baya said that he started the journey to recognize Pembas after an incident in his office when a lady pleaded with him to register a sim card on his name.

He lauded human rights activists who helped him push through the agenda of ensuring the Pembas get citizenship.

Pemba people were recognized as Kenyan citizens in 2022, and their registration began early 2023.