A 61-year-old man from Mavoko sub-county has made an application to replace his first generation national ID.

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Joseph Katungwa said he wants to hold current ID so as to benefit from cash transfer funds offered to the elderly by the government.

“I have remained poor throughout my life because I cannot enjoy several opportunities and financial support from state and charitable organizations,” said Katungwa.

Katungwa addressed the press at an ID sensitization meeting dubbed “Kwacha ID Athi drive” in Athi River town on Wednesday.

He said he will use his new ID to access financial credits from financial institutions for capital to start a hotel business, his lifelong dream.

Katungwa said he was excited since he will be able to vote to power his preferable leaders in 2017 once issued with the document.

“I cannot be allowed to participate in an election process using the first generation ID, I have never voted before,” said Katungwa.

Katungwa said his decision to replace the ID was influenced by Mavoko business man Raphael Muthama who encouraged him to seek current document and register an M Pesa account in readiness to receive financial support for business start up.

He said Muthama, sponsor of the ID registration drive took the exercise to his door step for easy access since he is aged and cannot walk long distances.

Muthama said he supports the initiative because majority of youth who have attained age 18 in Athi River do not have IDs.

“I have been going round mobilizing residents to turn up for mass ID registration, a personal initiative dubbed “Kwacha ID Athi drive,” said Muthama.

He said many locals especially youth and elderly fear visiting provincial administration offices for the document due to bureaucracy.

Muthama said those without IDs miss lots of opportunities since they cannot transact financial deals in banks and financial institutions.

He said many youths are jobless in Mavoko because they are unemployable without the document.

Muthama said those without IDs to come out and seek the document during the drive since it’s a one stop shop.