By Urban Shihemi, January 17, 2026

The government has announced a plan to register more than 500,000 adults in the Coastal region who currently do not have national identity cards, in a move aimed at enhancing access to government services and strengthening national administration.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the government will deploy live capture registration machines across the region and work closely with local leaders to ensure all eligible residents are documented.

Through his X account, “We have over 500,000 adults in the Coast who do not have national identity cards. We will deploy live capture machines and work closely with leaders to ensure all eligible persons are registered so they can access government services,” Murkomen said.

The announcement was made on Friday, January 16, 2026, during a consultative meeting with Members of Parliament from all the six Coastal counties. The meeting focused on security and national administration matters affecting the region.

The Interior CS also assured Coastal leaders that the government remains committed to improving security and service delivery, adding that proper registration of citizens is critical for effective planning, development and inclusivity.

The interior CS noted the governments significant progress in addressing most of the challenges, including reining in juvenile gangs and operationalising administrative units in order to bring services closer to the people.

He said the government will intensify the crackdown on the remaining criminal networks while focusing on the rehabilitation and reintegration of reformed offenders and gainfully engaging them.