A section of members of the Muslim community in Kipsangui, Soy Sub County, are up in arms over what they claim is discrimination in the issuance of national identity cards to their youths.
The locals claim their children are being subjected to an unfair vetting process because of their religion.
Speaking at Kipsangui Mosque, the locals say it is unacceptable for their children to be taken through vetting – based on their religion.
“This requirement of having our children go through vetting is becoming a challenge to us. We are of the Kalenjin community, we were born here, our children were born here, but we are now being discriminated because we are Muslims,” noted Abdul Tuwei, one of the locals.
They now want the government to do away with the requirement.
According to them, vetting for individuals seeking IDs can only be applicable to locals living at the border areas.
“There is freedom of religion. You cannot subject my child to vetting and my neighbor is treated differently just because of my religion. We are all from this area where we were born, and deserve to be treated like other Kenyans,” noted Hemedi Kipkemboi Saina, another local.
The locals want their area Member of Parliament to follow up on the matter so that it is addressed and a solution found.
North Rift Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) chairman Sheikh Abubakar Bini reacting to the issue said it was wrong for government officials to mistreat other Kenyans based on their religion.
He said they had received many complaints from locals over the issue.
“We are telling CS Matiang’i and the President to address the issue as fast as possible. We have many children that have scholarships but can’t get passports because it is a challenge getting the IDS,” noted Bini.
