A Nyeri businessman has released over 500 identity cards to their respective owners following a directive by Interior Cabinet Secretary, Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery.

Joseph Wachira, the owner of an electrical shop in Nyeri’s Majengo area, said that he held the ID cards of persons owing him a total amount of Sh 750,000.

He said he decided to write off the debts to allow the ID cards owners to exercise their democratic right of electing the next leaders when the country goes to the ballot on August 8, 2017.

This comes less than a week after Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery directed business operators to release Identity Cards confiscated over unpaid debts.

Mr Wachira claimed that the ID holders, who are mainly residents of Majengo and Kiawara slums, borrowed different sums of money from him to settle various bills including school and medical fees between April 2016 and January this year.Nyeri County Deputy Commissioner, John

Nyeri County Deputy Commissioner, John Marete, who led the IDs release process urged more business operators to follow in Wachira’s footsteps.