Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has joined other leaders in adding his voice to the latest President William Ruto’s decree to scrap a 60-year-old vetting requirement for residents of border counties to acquire national Identity (ID) cards.

The Mombasa Governor insisted that the move would help people from marginalised areas and those from the Northeastern region to earn equal rights as other Kenyans.

In a video shared on Sunday, February 9, 202,5 where he was speaking during a Gabra night event, Governor Nassir lamented over what he termed as opposition from a section of Kenyans regarding the presidential decree.

However, the first-time governor insisted that despite the move being deemed unpopular and harshly criticised, the affected people would now enjoy equal rights as other citizens.

“Unapata viongozi wengine saizi wanaanza kulalamika ya kuwa kwa nini mnakubalia jamii zingine kupatiwa IDs na kuwa kama Wakenya wengine (You find other leaders are complaining why other communities have been allowed to acquire IDS like other Kenyans) No one has the monopoly of being a better Kenyan than the other.

“Wapende wasipende, sisi ni Wakenya kama vile wao tunawatambua kama Wakenya na watatutambua kuwa sisi ni Wakenya (Whether they like or not, we are Kenyans like others and we must be recognised),” Governor Nassir insisted.

Remove other policies

While bashing those opposed to the new decision, Governor Nassir further implored the government to eliminate other policies that would block a section of Kenyans from enjoying rights and privileges as other citizens.

He noted that the decision would foster national cohesion and end discrimination at all levels of society.

“Kenya is home to 44 different ethnic communities, each contributing to the rich cultural fabric that defines us as a nation. Our diversity is not a weakness—it is our greatest strength. We must, therefore, reject any form of discrimination and ensure that every Kenyan, regardless of their background, enjoys the full benefits of our democracy,” Nassir remarked.

” There is no place for closeted bigotry in our society. Our Constitution enshrines equality, and it is our duty as leaders to champion it in every aspect of governance,” he added during the Gabra night celebrations.

𝐀 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚: 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐑𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐫𝐲

Kenya is home to 44 different ethnic communities, each contributing to the rich cultural fabric that defines us as a nation. Our diversity is not a weakness—it is our greatest… pic.twitter.com/pjXd8mLcNo

— Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir (@A_S_Nassir) February 9, 2025

Among those who had questioned the move is Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.

The governor described it as a blunder which could allow Al-Shabaab to infiltrate different sectors. He pointed out that vetting helped separate civilians from criminals maintaining that Ruto’s decision was ill-advised.

“One day we are going to have an Al-Shabaab as the president’s escort. Before they make any decisions, think. That’s why even Trump, as we talk now, is deporting people. There was a time when I think it was Uhuru who tried to put a barrier between Kenya and Somalia. What was the reason? This policy decision is a disaster. I’ve got a particular issue with even the recent removal of vetting of people before they are given identity cards,” he said.