Busia Residents Nab Ugandans Holding Kenyan IDs Ahead of 2027 General Elections

Busia Residents Nab Ugandans Holding Kenyan IDs Ahead of 2027 General Elections

Fresh concerns have emerged in Busia County after residents raised alarm over what they describe as an increasing number of Ugandan nationals allegedly acquiring Kenyan national identity cards illegally ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

The issue has triggered heated debate across the border county, with residents questioning the integrity of the national registration process and warning that the trend could compromise the credibility of future elections if not urgently addressed.

The concerns were raised during a public engagement forum attended by local leaders and government officials, where residents accused authorities of failing to tighten identity verification systems in one of Kenya’s busiest border regions.

Busia, which shares a porous border with Uganda, experiences heavy daily movement of traders, workers, students and families between the two countries, making it one of East Africa’s most active cross-border corridors.

Residents now claim that some foreign nationals are taking advantage of the relaxed movement to fraudulently acquire Kenyan identification documents and access services reserved for citizens.

“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 complained during the meeting.

Another resident alleged that local Kenyans continue to face lengthy bureaucratic processes despite government promises to simplify access to identification documents.

“The vetting process is still there, especially for us as Kenyans, but Ugandans are getting it easily,” the resident added.

The allegations have heightened fears among locals that undocumented foreigners could eventually participate in Kenya’s electoral process if they successfully obtain national identity cards and voter registration documents.

Several residents argued that the issue goes beyond access to identification cards and now touches directly on national security, public resources and electoral credibility ahead of the 2027 polls.

The matter has also reignited discussions around immigration enforcement and the management of border communities where intermarriages and shared cultural ties between Kenyan and Ugandan families are common.

Government officials, however, have defended the current situation, attributing the growing number of Ugandan nationals in possession of Kenyan documents to the unique social and economic realities of the border region.

Officials noted that residents from both countries frequently move across the border with minimal restrictions due to long-standing historical ties, business activities and family relationships.

Intermarriage between communities living along the border has particularly been cited as one of the major reasons behind the increase in applications for Kenyan documentation.

Speaking during a visit to Busia on Thursday, May 20, Belio Kipsang acknowledged the concerns while clarifying that some individuals may legally qualify for documentation through marriage and residency.

“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,” Kipsang stated.

The Immigration PS further called on local administrators, chiefs and community leaders to work closely with the government to ensure that only eligible individuals receive Kenyan documentation.

At the same time, residents urged the government to introduce stricter vetting mechanisms and improve transparency in the registration process to restore public confidence.

Political analysts now warn that identity card controversies could become a major issue in the lead-up to the 2027 elections, especially in border counties where questions around citizenship and voter eligibility have historically generated political tension.

The concerns come amid heightened national attention on electoral preparedness, voter registration integrity and the management of public records as political activity gradually intensifies across the country.

Civil society groups have also previously raised concerns about loopholes in the issuance of identity documents, arguing that weaknesses in registration systems could expose the country to fraud and undermine public trust in state institutions.

Despite the growing anxiety among Busia residents, government officials insist that measures are in place to verify applicants before documentation is issued and have urged the public to report suspected cases of fraud to authorities for investigation.

As debate over the matter continues, residents are now calling for comprehensive audits of identity registration processes in border regions to safeguard both national security and the integrity of Kenya’s future elections.

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Busia Residents Nab Ugandans Holding Kenyan IDs Ahead of 2027 General Elections