Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has urged residents of the county to register in large numbers for national identification cards, describing the exercise as essential for improving access to government services and strengthening electoral participation.
Speaking at his office on Tuesday, Governor Jama announced that registration officers from all 12 sub-counties in Garissa will be deployed to every location across the county to register all eligible residents aged 18 years and above who have not yet obtained national identity cards.
The governor also expressed concern that approximately 328,000 residents of Garissa County already possess national identity cards but have not registered as voters. He said the situation has raised concerns among political leaders in the county, who are calling for greater public participation in the voter registration process.
According to a report presented by Mriungi Mkora, the Regional Coordinator for National Registration in the North Eastern region, 18,541 people were registered for national identity cards in Garissa during the 2024–2025 registration period.
The report further indicates that in 2026, a total of 28,871 residents have registered for national identity cards, while 21,962 identity cards have already been issued over the past three months.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) also presented its voter registration data during the meeting. The report, read by Noor Gedi, stated that the commission launched its voter registration exercise in February this year.
According to the IEBC figures, Mbalambala Sub-county has registered 3,671 new voters,Fafi4,441, Garissa Township5,938, Lagdera3,185, Dadaab4,914, andIjara2,445.
County leaders have urged residents who already possess national identity cards but have not yet registered as voters to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise to ensure they are able to participate in future elections.
