Thousands of uncollected Identification Cards and passports have been noted at various national registration bureaus, including the Eldoret National Registration Bureau and Passport Processing Center. This situation has fueled a political controversy regarding the efficiency of the national identification system.

The government has strongly refuted claims made by the opposition regarding alleged delays in the issuance of national ID cards, labeling these allegations as politically motivated and misleading. On Monday, April 20, Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua alleged a deliberate scheme by the government to slow down ID issuance in opposition strongholds. This, he claimed, was an attempt to influence voter registration in preparation for the upcoming 2027 General Election. Speaking at an event in Nairobi, Gachagua asserted that there was a concerted effort to interfere with voter registration by delaying IDs in areas perceived as opposition bases, threatening to mobilize young people to occupy ID Registrar offices and Huduma Centres.

However, the government has dismissed these accusations. Dennis Itumbi, Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination, stated that the system is operating normally and consistently across the country. "We have taken note of the ongoing claims by the opposition alleging delays in the issuance of national identity cards. Let us be clear, there are no delays," Itumbi said, adding that what is being witnessed is political manipulation and a desperate attempt to create anxiety and push a narrative of election interference.

To substantiate its position, the government cited data from Nakuru County, indicating that 1,413,791 identity cards had been issued as of the previous week, with 31,449 applications still undergoing processing across various sub-counties. Specific figures showed Nakuru East leading with 497,111 IDs issued, followed by Kuresoi South with 158,256, and Njoro with 150,517. Other sub-counties such as Naivasha, Molo, Gilgil, Rongai, Subukia, Kuresoi North, and Nakuru West also reported continuous issuance and processing activities. Itumbi affirmed that these figures demonstrate a fully functioning system, asserting that a system delivering over a million IDs in a single county cannot be honestly described as delayed. He reiterated the government's commitment to efficient service delivery and safeguarding the integrity of the national identification system, ensuring that all eligible citizens receive their national identity documents through a structured and continuous process.

Amid these concerns, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged Members of Parliament to take a proactive role in ensuring that applicants receive their national identity cards. Highlighting persistent delays and inequities in the processing and issuance of IDs nationwide, Wetang’ula suggested that Parliament facilitates staff in constituency offices who can be deployed to bridge the existing gap between the issuance and collection of these vital documents.