President William Ruto has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equality and constitutional rights, declaring that no Kenyan should be treated as a second-class citizen.
Speaking during a public address, the President highlighted reforms in the issuance of identification documents in Northern Kenya, noting that residents can now access birth certificates, national identification cards and passports without undergoing what he termed as unnecessary vetting and profiling.
Ruto criticised past practices that subjected residents of the region to additional scrutiny, describing them as unjust and unconstitutional.
“It was the worst form of injustice for anybody to profile a whole region on matters of citizenship. Citizenship is a constitutional right. There are no second-class citizens in the Republic of Kenya,” he said.
The Head of State observed that for many years, residents of Northern Kenya faced discrimination in matters of documentation, which he said limited their access to essential services and opportunities.
He pledged that his administration has since dismantled discriminatory procedures that previously hindered residents from acquiring key identification documents.
The President further called for an end to tribalism, hate speech and divisive politics, urging leaders to foster national unity and equal treatment for all citizens.
“We must end politics of division and discrimination. Every Kenyan has equal space and equal rights in this country,” Ruto said.
He assured residents of Northern Kenya that the government remains committed to safeguarding their constitutional rights and ensuring equal access to services across the country.
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