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President William Ruto has declared that all Kenyans will receive their ID cards at no cost.
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While on the fourth day of his Nairobi tour, the president stressed the need for fairness in the process and warned against any form of discrimination.
He highlighted the importance of equal access to identification, stating that no Kenyan should be denied an ID or required to pay for one.
“We must eliminate discrimination in the issuance of identity cards. Every Kenyan is entitled to an ID card,” President Ruto emphasized.
He also announced that Kenyans would no longer need to pay for their ID cards, aiming to make the process more accessible to everyone.
“I’m here in Kibra to announce that identity cards should be issued without any payment,” he stated.
This announcement comes in response to growing concerns about the increasing costs of acquiring or replacing national IDs, which have sparked public outcry.
In November 2023, the government, via a gazette notice, introduced new fees, raising the cost for replacing lost or damaged IDs from Sh100 to Sh1,000. Although the increase for first-time applicants was later reduced, new applicants still face a Sh300 fee, which has faced criticism from both leaders and civil rights groups.
This change reverses a previous policy where Kenyans had to pay for the important document.
Kenya introduced identity cards in 1979 to improve national security and streamline citizen identification. Initially, the process was free, ensuring all citizens had access to this key document. However, over time, fees were introduced, making it more difficult for some, especially those from marginalized communities, to obtain IDs.
The president’s announcement signals a potential policy shift that could bring back free issuance of IDs for first-time applicants, addressing exclusion concerns and ensuring that all Kenyans can access vital government services.
