PS Omollo urges peaceful politics as ID registration drive intensifies in Migori

the-star.co.ke · Mar 1, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Interior PS Raymond Omollo during the ongoing national ID registration drive in Masara, Migori. Faith Matete Ongoing national ID registration drive in Masara, Migori. Faith Matete Leader's in Migori County during a national ID registration drive in Masara. Faith Matete Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has called for peace and political tolerance in Migori County as the country edges closer to the next general election.Speaking at Masara in Suna West during an ongoing national identity card registration drive, Omollo said leaders across the county had agreed that political differences should not divide communities or incite youth into violence.“We have agreed with leaders of Migori County that our political differences, especially for those vying for various positions, must not be the reason residents fight or our youth engage in chaos,” he said.The PS revealed that he had earlier met local leaders and opinion shapers from Masara, where they resolved in unison that every aspirant, regardless of the seat they were contesting, should be accorded an opportunity to present their manifesto to wananchi without intimidation.“If you do not want to listen to a particular leader, I am begging you, do not attend their meeting. But when we gather like this, we must give leaders the space to speak. It is upon you as voters to choose the leaders you want without being forced,” he added.Omollo warned against politicians seeking to sow division in the region, urging residents to remain united and focused on development.“Do not allow any politician to come here and confuse us or create unnecessary tension about what we stand for as a region,” he said.His remarks come at a time when Migori County is witnessing heightened political activity ahead of the next General Election, with aspirants intensifying grassroots campaigns across various constituencies.The county has also in the recent past witnessed incidents of political hooliganism, a move Omollo warned risks dividing the community.On national politics, the Interior PS stated that leaders from the area were united in supporting William Ruto for a second term, citing development projects initiated in the region over the past three years.“For the presidency, we are in unison. It is for President William Ruto, following what he has done and what we have witnessed in this region,” Omollo said.The PS was speaking during an ongoing free national ID registration exercise in Masara, where hundreds of residents turned up to apply for identification documents.He noted that many Kenyans, particularly in rural areas, still lack national identity cards, which he described as critical for accessing government services and opportunities.“An ID is not just about voting. It opens doors to many government services and opportunities,” he said.Omollo explained that under President Ruto’s administration, the government scrapped fees for first-time ID applicants and those seeking replacements, a move aimed at easing the financial burden on citizens.“Today in Suna West, Migori County, we have hundreds of Kenyans registering for IDs so that, as a government, we can plan better for them,” he said.Omollo encouraged those who have not yet registered as voters to do so once they acquire their IDs, saying this would empower them to elect leaders of their choice in the upcoming polls.“Because President William Ruto has delivered in the last three years and continues to deliver, when we go to elections next year, we have agreed with leaders from this region that we will give him a second term,” he said.He urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing community-level outreach programmes to acquire their identification documents and actively participate in the democratic process.