Youth leaders in Nakuru County have welcomed the proposal by the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution to have Kenyans get national identity cards at age 16.
The youths said Wednesday anyone who has reached that age is capable of making a decision.
Speaking in Shabab area, the leaders said this will ensure that many people are not locked out of the next general election and in subsequent ones.
“Many know who they want to be their leaders and at that age, they can comfortably be able to gauge and analyse who a good leader is," said Hamisi Ngutu.
Ngutu pointed out that this will also ensure that the youths are responsible since they will know they are now “adults”.
Hasssan Hajji said this will ensure that no citizen is denied the right to vote.
“They also need to exercise their constitutional right,” he added.
Hajji lamented that children have often become victims of police arrest for lack of identification.
“It will be enough proof that they are mature and can be able to walk freely,” he added.
Nakuru Youth Advisor to Governor Kinuthia Mbugua, Kimani wa Kimani said this will create a strong database that cannot be hacked.
“It will reduce the notion of registering every time there is an election,” he added.
In the CIC report, its chair Charles Nyachae said this will lead to efficient, open and transparent registration of voters.
The report further states that it would reduce the cost of multiple registration and it will be more efficient and reliable.