Kenya embassy in US calls off ID issuance in Atlanta

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014; By B M J Muriithi

The planned issuance of second generation National Identity Cards to Kenyans living in Atlanta and its environs slated for this weekend has been called off.

In an email message to the Nation, the head of the Kenyan Chancery in Washington, Ms Nairimas Ole-Sein, said the embassy would not be able to carry out the exercise as earlier planned.

“We however hope we will be able to carry out the exercise at a later date and look forward to an alternative proposal from the members of the Kenya Diaspora in Atlanta and its environs,” read the email.

But a source at the embassy told the Nation that the reason for the postponement was fact that Ambassador Jean Kamau had travelled to Kenya before authorizing her team to travel to Georgia.

“She is the only one who can authorise our travel. Although she had verbally given the organisers of the event in Atlanta the go ahead, she didn’t give any instructions to the officers before she left,” said our source who spoke on condition of anonymity as she is not authorised to talk to the media.

READ: Kenyans in the US to be issued with IDs: Embassy

The exercise was to coincide with celebrations to mark the 15th anniversary of the Kenyan American Community Centre (KACC) in Marietta, Georgia.

Two weeks ago, the embassy staff led by the Charge de Affairs processed over 200 identity card applications from Kenyans living in the state of Massachusetts.

“It was our inaugural programme where we literally took services to the Kenyans rather than have them come to the embassy. I must say it was very successful and we are happy with the outcome,” said Mr William Mugo, the First Secretary in charge of Consular Affairs in a telephone interview with the Nation.

Besides receiving and processing applications at the embassy, the consular officials plan to reach out to cities with high concentration of its citizens renewing and issuing new cards. “We will work with the relevant Diaspora Advisory Councils and community leaders like pastors to assess the situation and determine whether or when we should visit the cities”, said Evelyn Cheluget, the immigration Attaché.

The embassy in Washington DC serves Kenyans in the United States and Mexico