It is a sigh of relief and jubilation for one family as a 78-year-old man living with disability finally got a national identification card (ID) after a prolonged struggle that lasted nearly three decades.
The man hailing from Endebess in Trans-Nzoia County has faced numerous challenges in his bid to acquire the crucial document. He could not hide his happiness as he inspected his ID after receiving it on Wednesday, November 20.
In an interview with Standard Digital, the man's kin said they had struggled for many years trying to get the 78-year-old man the ID but to no avail.
The efforts of the man's son paid off with the offices of the National Registry handing the ID to the man after a 28-year wait. According to the man's wife, her husband has never gotten a national ID even after applying for so many years.
“My husband has not taken his national ID since his birth, despite applying for the ID many years ago. I do not know what was the problem,” she shared.
She shared that despite fulfilling all requirements, including providing documentation and undergoing medical assessments to verify his disability, he encountered repeated bureaucratic hurdles.
“I want to thank God because today I have seen light at the end of the tunnel,” the jubilated wife shared.
The wife narrated the frustrations she used to go through when signing documents, especially involving her children without involving their father.
“I used to sign documents as a single parent because my husband did not have an ID,” she explained, adding that she would fill out forms as a single parent.
She further added that she was forced to use her father-in-law’s ID, effectively adopting his surname, because her relatives were far away.
The equally overjoyed son said he was delighted to see his father obtain his ID mentioning that they had to contend with hardships, especially when seeking government services. He explained that since his father did not have an ID, he had to use his grandfather’s ID in place of his father’s.
“Since my birth, my dad has never had an ID, but today, I am happy that he received his ID. I am a happy lot,” he said.
He noted that with the new ID now, their siblings will have an easier time when it comes to seeking government services.