Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio, has criticized the government for raising the cost of the National ID card, arguing that it should be provided for free as identification of citizenship.

In a November 14 gazette notice, Odinga vowed to reject the planned levies during a meeting with the clergy on Wednesday in the Westlands Constituency.

“We will fight on the ID issue. Every Kenyan should get an ID card, as it is the one that shows you are a Kenyan. So someone wants you to buy it,” Odinga said. 

“We will demand that every Kenyan is given an ID card even if they do not have money,” he added. 

The head of the ODM party also discussed the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, stating that it is imperative that it tackle important issues including the exorbitant cost of living, the reform of the IEBC, and the auditing of the 2022 presidential ballots.

Odinga declared that if the dialogue’s resolution fails to address the problems, they will reject it.

The MPs who surrounded Odinga expressed similar views, threatening to veto the report if it was submitted to the bicameral assembly without covering the relevant subjects.

The NADCO, under the direction of Kimani Ichungwa and Kalonzo Musyoka, is anticipated to complete writing its report today.

The former prime minister also cautioned lawmakers against starting campaigns too soon because it will cause needless stress in the nation.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Pasaris, Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi, Dagoreti North’s Beatrice Elachi, former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, and a number of Nairobi County MCAs led the group of legislators encircling him.