President William Ruto has announced that Kenyans will no longer be required to pay for national identification cards (IDs).
The order now ends the charges that were previously imposed on new applications and renewals.
Speaking in Ayany, Kibra, on the final day of his four-day working tour of Nairobi County, Ruto directed all government registration agencies to implement the directive immediately.
“I want to announce here in Kibra today that national ID cards should be issued free of charge. Everyone should receive an ID card at no cost through a fair and non-discriminatory process for all Kenyans,” he said on Thursday.
The President also emphasized that every Kenyan has a right to an ID and warned against any form of discrimination in the issuance process.
“I have said that matters of ID be issued without any discrimination. Every citizen should be given an ID card without discrimination,” he reiterated.
The decision reverses a previous policy that required Kenyans to pay Sh300 for a new ID and Sh1,000 for renewal. In November 2023, a gazette notice had introduced higher fees, including an increase in the cost of replacing lost IDs from Sh100 to Sh2,000.
The move had drawn criticism from civil rights groups and leaders, who argued that the high fees made it harder for some Kenyans, especially those from marginalized areas, to obtain IDs.
Kenya first introduced national ID cards in 1979 to improve security and streamline identification. Initially, they were issued for free, but charges were later introduced, making access more difficult for some citizens.
Only individuals above the age of 18 are eligible for a national identification card.
The President’s new directive signals a potential policy shift towards restoring free issuance of IDs, ensuring that all Kenyans can access essential government services without financial barriers.
National ID applications are processed at the National Registration Bureau and Huduma Centres across the country.
Applicants must provide personal details, fingerprints, and passport photographs before receiving a waiting card, which they surrender upon collecting their processed ID.