In what has become obvious stomping for August 10, 2027, presidential election, President William Ruto’s strongholds in the expansive Rift Valley have kicked off a school-based national identity card registration drive targeting secondary schools in Kericho, Nandi, Bomtet, Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties to fortify his hold on a region that has traditionally stood with him in politics.

In Kenya, one needs a national ID card to be eligible to acquire a voter’s card that qualifies him to participate in elections.

As of last weekend, Kericho County had registered a total of 1,265 Form Four students for national identity cards under the ongoing school-based ID registration drive that targets secondary schools. The exercise has been promoted as an initiative to improve access to registration services among school-going youth and enhancing compliance with the legal requirement for citizens aged 18 and above.

In the past two years, President Ruto’s clout in Mt Kenya, Nairobi, northern Kenya and north-eastern has been shaken by protests by younger generation demanding employment, civic liberties and affordable cost of living.

The protests have raised concerns in Ruto’s camp about whether he will secure term in the high office. The president has responded to protests by holding rallies in all of the country that are perceived as early campaigns to retain power.

The exercise, initiated by the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services through the National Registration Bureau (NRB), seeks to ensure timely documentation for students transitioning from secondary education to tertiary institutions, job markets and other government services that require proof of legal identity.

According to Kericho County Registrar Chelangat Cheruiyot the registration exercise has so far covered 33 secondary schools across in seven sub-counties, with 693 boys and 572 girls enrolled. Chelangat noting that the county has witnessed improved cooperation from school administrations and parents, who have played a key role in mobilising eligible students and providing the required documents, including birth certificates and parents’ IDs.

Cheruiyot disclosed that in Kericho East Sub-County, a total of 401 students have been registered tallied as 203 boys and 198 girls drawn from Kericho Day Secondary School, Buchege Secondary School, Manyoror Secondary School and Poiywek Secondary School.

In Soin Sub-County, the registration team has reached 160 students comprising 74 boys and 86 girls in the exercise that was conducted at Kapchebwai, Kabokyek and Kabokyek Adventist secondary schools.

The official pointed out that increased awareness of the importance of early registration among parents leading to smooth mobilisation and strong student turnout in Sigowet Sub-County, where 138 students registered for identity cards. They were 63 boys and 75 girls from Kaptebengwo and Sumeek secondary schools.

In Belgut Sub-County, 89 students have been registered so far, with 52 boys and 37 girls from Cheronget, Chebirirbei, Cheribo and Teldet secondary schools enrolled, while in Kipkelion West Sub-County has registered 242 students, one of the highest tallies comprising 141 boys and 101 girls from Kimologit and Simotwet secondary schools.

In Kipkelion East Sub-County, 49 students were registered from Baraka Day Secondary School. These were 30 boys and 19 girls, while Bureti Sub-County accounted for 185 students, with 124 boys and 61 girls drawn from a total of 11 secondary schools including Cheplanget, Masubeti Girls, Roret Boys, Tulwet Boys, Kaminjeiwet, Kusumek, Chelilis Girls, Mabasi Boys, Kapchelach, Sosit Mixed and Tengecha Boys secondary schools.

Cheruiyot confirmed that the school-based registration exercise will continue until the end of the second academic term, encouraging principals and guardians to cooperate.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Kibe Mburu and Mercy Mwende