The Somali government has rolled out a national ID registration initiative at its embassy in Nairobi, targeting Somali citizens living in Kenya as part of efforts to streamline identification and service delivery.

The programme was officially launched on March 27, 2026, by Somali Ambassador to Kenya Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, just weeks ahead of the planned reopening of the Kenya–Somalia border.

The office, run by the Somali body of the issuance of IDs, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), will allow Somali nationals living in Kenya to begin the process of acquiring their national identity cards without travelling back home, easing costs, delays, and logistical hurdles significantly, according to the ambassador.

The office marks a significant expansion of the country’s identification programme, becoming the 30th such facility established outside its borders as authorities push to ensure citizens in the diaspora are not left behind in national systems.

“Somalis living in Kenya can now register and obtain their National ID Card at the Embassy, marking the 30th NIRA office established abroad as we expand access to the Somali National ID,” stated Ambassador Jabril.

The NIRA national ID card itself is a biometric-based document featuring a unique 11-digit number assigned for life, ensuring every registered individual can be identified securely across multiple platforms and government systems without duplication or identity conflicts.

Applicants are required to submit comprehensive biometric details during registration, including fingerprints and facial images, which are securely stored in a centralised database to enhance identity verification across both physical and digital platforms as the system advances.

Officials say the initiative will introduce multiple ID formats, including digital and smartcard versions, enabling seamless use across modern systems such as banking, travel, and access to public services.

The rollout comes ahead of the anticipated reopening of the Kenya–Somalia border, which has remained shut for more than a decade due to ongoing security concerns tied to Al-Shabaab activities.

President William Ruto has indicated that the border will reopen in April, a move aimed at revitalising cross-border trade, deepening regional integration following Somalia’s admission into the East African Community, and reconnecting communities in North-Eastern Kenya that have long been separated.

Ruto said the reopening will be implemented in phases, targeting key border crossing points that link communities and vital trade corridors, a move expected to spur economic recovery and reunite families separated by years of restricted movement.

However, the plan has been met with scepticism among many Kenyans, who fear a possible resurgence of attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure.

Despite these concerns, President Ruto has maintained that the process will be guided by intelligence, with security agencies placed on heightened alert to manage any emerging threats.