Somalia has opened a national identification registration office in Nairobi as part of preparations for the planned reopening of the Kenya–Somalia border in April, in a move aimed at improving access to identification services for its citizens living in Kenya.
The facility was officially launched on 27 March at the Somali embassy in Nairobi by National Identification and Registration Authority Director General Abdiweli Ali Abdulle and Somalia ambassador to Kenya Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle.
The Nairobi centre becomes the 30th overseas office established by Somalia as authorities expand access to national identification for citizens living abroad.
Ambassador Jabril said the new office will allow Somali nationals in Kenya to register and obtain national ID cards without travelling back to Somalia, reducing costs and logistical challenges.
The biometric ID cards include fingerprints, photographs and a unique 11-digit identification number assigned to each individual for life. Officials say the system is designed to enhance identity verification and prevent duplication across government and private sector services.
Applicants are required to submit biometric data, which is stored in a centralised database to support both physical and digital verification processes. Authorities also plan to introduce digital and smartcard versions of the ID to integrate with banking, travel and government services.
The development comes weeks before Kenya is expected to reopen its border with Somalia, which has remained closed since 2011 due to security concerns linked to al-Shabaab attacks.
President William Ruto recently announced that the reopening will begin in April and will be implemented in phases, focusing on key crossing points.
The move is expected to boost cross-border trade, strengthen regional integration and reconnect communities that have been separated for more than a decade.
Officials say reopening the border could also support economic activity in North Eastern Kenya, a region that has faced prolonged isolation due to the closure.
Security concerns remain
Despite the expected economic benefits, the decision has drawn mixed reactions among Kenyans, with some expressing concern over potential security risks.
Past attacks, including the 2013 Westgate mall attack and the 2015 Garissa University attack, continue to shape public perception around border security.
However, government officials have said the reopening will be guided by intelligence-led operations, with security agencies placed on high alert to prevent potential threats.
Authorities say the introduction of biometric identification alongside the reopening of the border could help improve accountability, reduce illegal crossings and streamline movement between the two countries.
The initiative is also expected to ease access to essential services for Somali citizens living in Kenya, many of whom previously faced challenges obtaining official documentation.
Analysts note that combining improved identification systems with controlled border reopening could play a key role in strengthening governance, trade and regional cooperation in East Africa.
