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President William Ruto has announced that Kenyans will not be required to pay for the replacement of lost national identity cards, a move aimed at ensuring that no one is locked out of voter registration.
Speaking during the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) centenary celebrations in Nyang’ori, Vihiga County, on Saturday, Ruto explained that while the replacement fee was initially introduced to curb misuse of the service, the government has suspended it until after the elections.
“We will make sure no Kenyan is denied the opportunity to register as a voter for lack of an ID,” he affirmed.
The Head of State further revealed that the government is establishing two new financing mechanisms — the Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund — to accelerate economic transformation and secure the country’s future.
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The Infrastructure Fund, he said, will support agricultural modernisation through irrigation, value addition, and agro-processing, as well as industrialisation and manufacturing. It will also finance power generation and road construction.
“Kenya currently generates 2,300MW, which is not enough to sustain an industrial economy. To achieve transformation, we need a minimum of 10,000MW,” Ruto said, adding that the fund will also facilitate the expansion of highways and rural access roads.
On the Sovereign Wealth Fund, the President emphasised the importance of saving surplus revenues for future generations.
“We cannot eat everything today. We must save for tomorrow,” he stated.
Ruto lauded MPs for approving the privatisation of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), noting that the move would help raise KSh130 billion for national development.
He also issued a warning to public health facilities charging Kenyans for outpatient services, stressing that the government has already covered the costs. He added that the government has paid social health insurance for 2.5 million vulnerable citizens, disbursing KSh3.7 billion to cover their SHA premiums.
“Our Constitution guarantees quality healthcare as a right, not a privilege. The government is committed to ensuring every Kenyan can access treatment without financial hardship,” Ruto said.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi commended Ruto for championing both Kenyan and African interests at the recent UN General Assembly in New York. He urged Western Kenya residents to rally behind the President as he implements the country’s transformation agenda.
Other leaders, including Governor Wilber Ottichilo and Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, echoed calls for unity and urged young people to register as voters.
“You can’t be partyless, voiceless, leaderless, voteless. Register to vote,” Odiwuor told the youth.
