Parents from the former Nyanza province have been urged to facilitate application of National Identity cards by their young ones who have reached the minimum required application age of 18 years.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ on Monday said many youths had failed to take the initiative of applying for the crucial document making them miss opportunities offered by government and other employment entities.
Mr Kajwang’ blamed parents for failing to take ‘prime’ responsibility to ensure their young ones were registered as citizens of the country.
“We know that many youths are ignorant when it comes to applying for national IDs and this trend is really worrying. As parents, you have prime responsibility to ensure they are registered to get a chance to enjoy various constitutional rights such as electing leaders,” he said.
According to him, the document would help the young generation access various loans services like Youth Fund, offered by the government to help them join the world of entrepreneurship.
“No youth can even get access to loans given by the government or any other Non Governmental Organisation without the card. It is not solely used for voting as many interpret. Let us ensure that the youthful population enjoys those services by applying for citizenship. They can thereafter venture into entrepreneurship,” he added.
He called for tolerance among Orange Democratic Movement supporters during the highly anticipated party primaries in Nyamira and Homa Bay counties by the end of October.