The Standard has reported a major identity (ID) scandal uncovered by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) earlier this week. Authorities arrested 26 individuals suspected of involvement in a scheme that allegedly sold Kenyan nationality for a fee.
The case has raised serious security concerns, especially following President William Ruto’s recent directive to scrap security vetting for ID applications in Northern Kenya and other border regions.
According to the report, investigators found that criminal networks had exploited the relaxed rules to enable foreigners to obtain Kenyan IDs illegally.
North Eastern Kenya has emerged as one of the areas most affected, highlighting the regional scale of the fraud.
Experts warn that such practices could compromise national security, as it allows unverified individuals to enter the country’s legal framework without proper oversight.
The publication emphasizes that the scandal is a wake-up call for authorities to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms around the issuance of identification documents.
While the arrests mark a step forward in tackling the racket, officials caution that systemic loopholes continue to exist, making it possible for similar schemes to operate if vigilance is not maintained.
The report underlines the delicate balance between easing bureaucratic processes and safeguarding national security.