President Ruto warns against bribery as ID replacement fees scrapped
By urging the public to report anyone asking for cash for ID services, Ruto said the government will not tolerate corruption in the processing of national documents.
Many Kenyans seeking identity cards have been advised to avoid giving any money during the application or replacement process, with President William Ruto telling citizens to report anyone who attempts to solicit bribes.
He stressed that obtaining a national ID should be free and warned against corrupt officers who take advantage of applicants.
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Speaking in Busia on Friday, the President said the government has removed all charges tied to replacing lost identity cards and correcting personal details.
He noted that the move is meant to ensure every Kenyan can easily access identification services without facing financial barriers.
“If you don’t have an ID, the fee that was being charged during application has been removed. You can now go and take your ID, and if anyone asks you for money, report them to the police,” Ruto said.
His statement came shortly after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen issued a gazette notice announcing a six-month waiver for fees relating to ID replacement and changes to personal details.
The waiver took effect immediately after amendments were made to the Registration of Persons (Amendment) Rules, 2025.
The update confirms that the Sh1,000 fee previously charged for processing a lost ID or altering personal information will not apply during the six-month period.
The notice dated October 30 outlines the changes made under the revised rules.
“Rule 9 of the Registration of Persons Rules is amended in subrule (4) by deleting the words ‘pay a fee of one thousand shillings,’” part of the gazette reads.
It further adds: “The principal Rules are amended by adding the following new rule immediately after rule 12: The fees prescribed in respect of any matter under these Rules shall be the fees set out in the Sixth Schedule. The fees prescribed in the Sixth Schedule in respect of duplicate/replacement and change of particulars shall be nil for a period of six months, with effect from the date of commencement of these rules.”
According to the government, the waiver is part of ongoing reforms meant to make identification services easier and faster for citizens.
It follows earlier actions that include free first-time ID registration, scrapping extra vetting in border regions and removing fees that were required for birth certificate authentication.
By urging the public to report anyone asking for cash for ID services, Ruto said the government will not tolerate corruption in the processing of national documents.
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