Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has claimed that Ugandan nationals are receiving Kenyan identity cards faster than local citizens, raising concerns about the integrity of the country’s identification system.

Speaking in Thika on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Muturi said he was surprised by remarks made by Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, who had directed chiefs and local administrators to ensure that people who have married in the country are issued with identity cards if they qualify.

Muturi questioned the process and said residents in some border areas are already complaining about unfair treatment in the issuance of IDs.

“Nimeshangaa, tarehe ishirini, Jumatano wiki hii, Katibu Mkuu Kipsang alisema chiefs na local administrators wangaalie watu wale wameoa Kenya, wameolewa Kenya, wapatiwe vitambulisho ni Wakenya,” Muturi said.

He added that local citizens in Busia have raised concerns that Ugandans are being issued with identity cards faster than Kenyans, who have waited for long periods.

“Sasa local citizens of Busia are complaining Ugandans are getting IDs faster than Kenyans,” he said.

Muturi claimed that the situation reflects poor control in the registration process and warned that it could undermine trust in national identity systems.

He also made political remarks linking the issue to leadership, saying President William Ruto’s administration must address the growing concerns.

“William Ruto ameangalia Kenya ameona huku mambo imeharibika, sasa anatafuta Waganda,” he said.

Muturi warns ID irregularities

Muturi cautioned the government and specifically Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, urging him to take responsibility for the situation and ensure fairness in the issuance of identity documents. He further linked Kipsang to earlier concerns raised during his time at the Ministry of Education, where claims of ghost learners and irregular capitation payments were reported.

“We want to caution Belio Kipsang. Kwa sababu huyu Kipsang ndiye alikuwa PS kwa muda mrefu sana, wakati kulikuwa na watoto ambao non-existent, ghost learners, na walikuwa wanapewa pesa ya capitation,” Muturi said.

He added that President Ruto had previously acknowledged the existence of over 700,000 non-existent learners in the education system, suggesting that similar weaknesses in public systems were now affecting civil registration.

“William Ruto mwenyewe juzi alikubali kulikuwa na watoto zaidi ya laki saba, non-existent learners,” he said.

Muturi warned that continued weaknesses in registration systems, whether in education or national identification, could undermine public trust in government records.

He said the government must ensure transparency and equal treatment for all citizens applying for identity cards, especially in border counties where concerns about nationality and documentation are more sensitive.

He also urged accountability from officials responsible for issuing IDs, saying Kenyans are closely watching how the process is being handled.

“Mambo yote mnafanya sasa mjue Wakenya wako macho,” he said.