BUSIA, Kenya — Concerns are escalating in Busia County after residents raised alarm over what they describe as a growing number of Ugandan nationals allegedly holding Kenyan national identity cards, sparking fears over access to public services and the integrity of future elections.
Local residents say the situation has led to increased competition for government services, with claims that foreign nationals are accessing benefits reserved for Kenyan citizens.
Some residents alleged that while Kenyans face hurdles in acquiring identification documents, non-citizens are obtaining them with relative ease.
“We are not happy at all. Ugandans are coming in and getting ID cards without verification and vetting. But for us as residents, we find it hard to get the documents,” one resident said.
Another added:
“The vetting process is still there, especially for us as Kenyans, but Ugandans are getting it easily.”
Officials and analysts point to the unique socio-economic dynamics along the Busia border as a key factor behind the concerns.
The Kenya–Uganda border in Busia is highly porous, with daily cross-border movement driven by trade, family ties and shared ethnic communities. Intermarriage between Kenyan and Ugandan families is also common, further complicating identity verification processes.
Authorities say these factors can blur distinctions between citizens and non-citizens, particularly in cases where individuals have lived in border communities for extended periods.
The issue has also triggered political concern, with some residents warning that the alleged issuance of IDs to non-citizens could undermine the credibility of the 2027 General Election.
Critics argue that possession of a national ID card could potentially allow ineligible individuals to register as voters, raising questions about electoral integrity if the concerns are not addressed.
Belio Kipsang has acknowledged the complexity of the issue, urging local administrators to distinguish between unlawful acquisition of documents and legitimate cases involving cross-border families.
Speaking during a visit to Busia on May 20, Kipsang directed chiefs and local authorities to facilitate documentation for individuals legally residing in Kenya through marriage.
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“Our chiefs should sensitise those who are in this country rightfully through marriage that they are able to acquire documents that make them legally able to be in this country,” he said.
The unfolding situation highlights a broader policy challenge for the government, balancing the need for secure identification systems with the realities of cross-border communities that share deep cultural, economic and familial ties.
While authorities have not confirmed widespread fraud, the concerns raised by residents are likely to intensify scrutiny on identity registration systems, particularly as the country approaches the next electoral cycle.
