The border communities living in Nakuru County have decried alleged discrimination in the issuance of national identity cards and other essential government documents.

The communities say they have not received the documents in the last two years and now want County Commissioner, Mr Erastus Mbui to look into the matter urgently.

The government subject citizens of Somali heritage, as well as communities bordering Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania, to rigorous vetting procedures before issuing IDs.

While the vetting process is intended to counteract fraudulent acquisition of documents, affected ethnic groups say the process is discriminatory and depriving them of citizenship rights.

“Youth have not been issued with the ID cards for the last two years as they can not be vetted due to COVID-19 pandemic threat,” stated Mr Abdullahi Adan, a Muslim youth leader.

He stated that they can not access government services, travel or join universities due to a lack of documents whereas their agemates elsewhere walk into Huduma Centers and leave with IDs.

Mr Adan suggests that the Government should urgently put up measures in line with the COVID-19 prevention protocols and ensure that youth who have come of age are vetted and issued with IDs.

Retail chain Naivas on Friday opened its fourth store in Nakuru’s midtown along Kenyatta Avenue.

The Naivas’ new store is its fourth in the town and 71st overall.

The opening of the new branche is good news to suppliers in Nakuru, who had lost out on business following the closure of Tuskys and Ukwala supermarkets.

Naivas traces its roots in Nakuru’s Rongai way back in 1990s.

The management maintained that being in the centre of Nakuru is key with proper corporate governance focusing on suppliers and customers.

Speaking during the official opening of the Nakuru’s fourth store, Chief Commercial Officer Naivas Limited Willy Kimani was categorical that the retail chain is now in almost all counties.

“Nakuru is where we started and we have continued to grow reaching many counties. But one of the key areas we have always wanted is to be in the centre of Nakuru. Our corporate governance focuses on suppliers and customers.” said Kimani.

And to ensure customers are satisfied with services as well as meeting their demands, Kimani revealed that the new tore in Nakuru Mid-town shall be operational 24 hours once the curfew restrictions are lifted.

He added that through that, there will be more efficiency as well as provide more job opportunities for Nakuru residents.

“This store is going to be a 24-hours place once the curfew and COVID-19 pandemic is over” said Kimani.

Immediately after opening the doors, locals flocked the store to enjoy the many offers for them.

Governor Lee Kinyanjui has mourned the late Mrs Elizabeth Komen as an astute farmer, a philanthropist and a community mobilizer in Rongai sub-County and beyond.

Mrs Komen, mother to the County Minister for Trade, Industrialization and Marketing Mr Raymond Komen, passed on last night while undergoing treatment at a Nakuru hospital.

She was the wife of the late Willy Komen, who was the Member of Parliament for Molo, Nakuru Town & Rongai constituencies between the years 1969 – 1997.

In her local community, the Governor said, she was recognized for her exemplary work in philanthropy and support for church, education and agriculture.

“She was part of an active network of farmers who created a platform for the exchange of experiences and better practice,” the Governor noted.

The chairlady of the Women in Agriculture Group in Rongai, Bahati and Subukia sub-Counties was also able to connect farmers to development partners and government agencies.

Mrs Komen had hived off a section of her farm for the construction of the Queen of Holy Rosary Church in Rongai, where she served as the chairlady. She was also the Vice-chairperson of Mang’u Parish.

While eulogizing her on his official Facebook page, the Governor stated that Mrs Komen understood the journey to success can not be achieved without teamwork.