Prime CS and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Wednesday referred senators questioning him over the delay in issuing Identity Cards to the Kenyan Diaspora residing in the US to Interior CS Kithure Kindiki.
While appearing before the Senate to respond to various issues Mudavadi was quizzed by Senators on why Kenyans in the United States of America were facing delays in acquiring the crucial citizenship documents.
Mudavadi argued that his Ministry is only a facilitator on such matters.
"The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs serves as a facilitator Ministry, the issuance of National Identity Cards falls under the mandate of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is not in a position to provide an authoritative and comprehensive response to this question", Mudavadi was quoted as having stated by the official Parliament handles.
"In this regard, it is requested that the house redirects the question to the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration," Senate revealed.
The Prime CS, however, informed the Senate that communication about ID and passport collection has been enhanced by the missions. Mudavadi revealed that efforts to raise awareness about the importance of applying for and collecting these documents are being undertaken through existing diaspora associations.
Mudavadi was responding to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna who was seeking details on how the government, through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, is managing operations at the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the two consulates in New York and Los Angeles.
The issue of ID delays is not only being faced by Kenyans in the US but also Kenyans in the country have to wait longer to get their IDs. According to the National Registration Bureau it should take about a month for a Kenyan to apply for and receive an ID.
However, the reality is starkly different for thousands of Kenyans who have been waiting for up to six months for the crucial document. The Government has however been working tirelessly to ensure Kenyans receive their documents promptly.
Apart from the issue of the ID delays, Mudavadi also revealed the government's plans to evacuate Kenyans in Lebanon.
Mudavadi revealed that the government has set aside Ksh.100 million for security and other agencies, to assist in evacuating Kenyans in the Middle East owing to the ongoing war. The government has encouraged Kenyans in the affected areas to register for evacuations.
Mudavadi revealed that the government is concerned about ensuring none of the Kenyans, approximately 26,000 in the country are left stranded amid the ongoing chaos.
