All Kenyans to receive ID cards free of charge as Ruto scraps Sh1,000 fee

President William Ruto acknowledges greetings from locals during his tour of Lang'ata and Kibra constituencies on March 13, 2025. (Photo: PCS)

By Lucy Mumbi
Thursday, March 13, 2025

He emphasised that the process should be fair and non-discriminatory to ensure every eligible citizen receives their ID card without charges.

President William Ruto has directed that Kenyans will no longer be charged for national identification cards (IDs), scrapping the fees that were previously required for new applications and renewals.

Speaking on Thursday in Ayany, Kibra, on the final day of his four-day working tour of Nairobi County, Ruto emphasised that the directive must be implemented by all government registration agencies.

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“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.

The President also cautioned against any form of discrimination in the issuance of the crucial documents, stressing that every Kenyan is entitled to an ID regardless of their background.

“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 move reverses an earlier government decision that required citizens to pay Sh300 for a new ID and Sh1,000 for renewal.

In November 2023, the government introduced new charges, through a gazette notice, that significantly increased the cost of replacing lost or damaged IDs from Sh100 to Sh1,000.

While the proposed Sh1,000 charge for first-time applicants was later revised, new applicants were still required to pay Sh300.

Additionally, the cost of replacing lost IDs was increased 20 times, from Sh100 to Sh2,000.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that pursuant to Regulation 60 of the Public Finance Management (National Government) Regulations, 2015, the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning has granted the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration the authority for the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services to revise charges and levies on its services,” read the gazette notice.

The move sparked criticism from leaders and civil rights groups, who argued that it made access to identification documents more difficult, especially for marginalised communities.

Kenya introduced national IDs in 1979 to enhance security and streamline citizen identification. Initially, the documents were issued for free to ensure accessibility for all. However, over the years, charges were introduced, making it harder for some Kenyans to obtain the crucial document.

The President’s latest directive signals a potential policy shift that could see a return to free issuance of IDs for first-time applicants, addressing concerns of exclusion and ensuring all Kenyans can access essential government services.

Applications for national IDs are processed at the National Registration Bureau and Huduma Centres across the country. The National Registration Bureau offices are located within County Commissioners’ offices or Chiefs’ camps.

During the application process, individuals must fill out a form with their personal details, after which their fingerprints and passport photographs are taken. A waiting card is then issued to the applicant, which must be surrendered upon collection of the processed ID.