Crowd at Sori toen voters drive

Migori Governor Okoth Obado has launched a massive national ID and voter registration drive in Migori County ahead of the 2017 general elections, becoming the first governor in Luo Nyanza to do so.

Addressing residents of Sori in Nyatike Sub-county, governor Obado revealed his government has set the exercise to go on for three months after which he will review the progress.

“My government in collaboration with the IEBC officials will do all it can to see over 500,000 people get registration before next general election,” he said.

Id registration and voter registration has been the order of the day especially to the opposition who has held different rallies in the country to promote the id and voters registration.

Governor Obado urged Migori County residents to acquire national identification documents not just for the voting exercise but as a critical document needed whenever one needs to apply for opportunities or services from the county.

“With the identification cards, we do not only target voting but this can help our youths get jobs too, apart from that it is a security tool” he added

Obado also urged the youth to get IDs to avoid being mistaken as criminals especially when found wandering at night. Migori is a border county and security is often a top issue.

However Obado requested other leaders to join hands and help strengthen the Id card registration in the region.

On his side, Migori county registrar of persons, Gabine Arochi, urged eligible citizens within the County who are 18 years of age and above to come out for ID registration exercise as it is a vital document that helps one elect alternative leadership, access bank loans among other numerous benefits.

“The exercise is free devoid from corruption and warned that any officer found culpable of soliciting bribes from locals shall meet severe penalties,” warned Arochi.

Arochi hinted that the progress is encouraging and applauded the good gesture from the public who have demonstrated that indeed they want IDs.

“Since the beginning of 2015/2016 financial year the turn up is impressive and so far we have captured 80 percent eligible voters across the County,” he said