As part of the ongoing efforts towards strengthening the capacity of the Government of Kenya to manage National Identity Programmes, IOM in partnership with the Kenya School of Government (KSG) organized two Training of Trainers (ToTs) involving 40 government officials from different counties including Bungoma, Garissa, Kisii, Kiambu, Kisumu, Meru, Migori, Nakuru, Nairobi, Malindi, Makueni, Marsabit, West Pokot and Wajir.

The ToT is under the project “Strengthening the Capacity of the Government of Kenya to Manage National Identity Programmes” and funded by the IOM Development Fund. The project aims to improve identity management in Kenya through strengthening the capacity of the Kenyan Government, and creating awareness of full identity management chains.

The first ToT batch was from 18-20 September with 20 senior government officials from the National Registration Bureau (NRB), and the second ToT batch on 25-28 September 2018 with 20 senior officials from NRB and Integrated Population Registration System (IPRS).

The ToTs sought to improve adult training methods, cascade future trainings and share best practices on identity management. Training topics included: adult training methodology, principles and practice of management, organization and function of government – constitution and legal provisions on citizenship, registration, security features of national document and integrity. The last session of the training was dedicated to a simulation exercise for participants to apply their learnings during the training.

Mr. Kenneth Nduati, NRB Deputy Director said, “I thank IOM for the partnership with NRB, in the national identity program and this time supporting the 40 senior officials to be equipped with knowledge and skills to become trainers. It is now our responsibility to impart knowledge on identity management”.

One of the participants, Mr. David Gitau, Deputy County Registrar NRB Malindi, added, “I am grateful for the learning opportunity especially on adult training principles, updated information on security features of national documents and the legal provisions on citizenship. I am confident and ready to cascade the training”.

IOM in cooperation with the NRB and key stakeholders such as Immigration, Civil Registration and National Coordination Mechanism on Migration (NCM) have concluded an assessment of the current situation on national identity management under the IDF project. Key recommendations of the assessment include policy harmonization, capacity development of officials, system integration and enhancing security along the identity chain.