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Government bows to pressure, revokes Gazette notice hiking IDs, passports charges

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki. (Photo: Courtesy)

By Dennis Tarus | Tuesday, November 14, 2023

In a statement on Tuesday evening, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said the move was made so as to allow public participation on the matter.

The Government has revoked the controversial Gazette notice it issued last week that hiked IDs and passport fees.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the move was made so as to allow public participation on the matter.

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The Interior CS said the intended revised charges, fees and levies were informed by the need for Kenya’s self-reliance in financing the National Budget as well as to "wean the Country from unsustainable debt that poses grave threats to our sovereignty and the dignity of future generations".

The State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services has now been directed to conduct and complete public participation as soon as possible, but not later than 10 December 2023.

"On the particular issue of acquisition of National Identity Cards by previously not registered citizens, the Government shall meet the costs of the revised charges, fees and levies through a waiver for indigent Kenyans who demonstrate inability to pay," Kindiki added.

Meanwhile, the Interior CS has published new intended charges, fees and levies for the same services to take effect on 1 January 2024 as below.

The CS noted that the new intended charges, fees and levies have been adjusted to accommodate the views of the public already received following the publication of the revoked Gazette Notices.

Kenyans' outcry

The increased charges led to an outcry by a majority of Kenyans who saw the increase in fees for critical documents like identity cards, passports and government staff badges as an extra burden in the midst of the already high cost of living.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki during a visit to Nyayo House for a progress, tracking and evaluation meeting with senior Immigration State Department officers on 11 September 2023. (Photo: X/Citizen TV)

Last Thursday, the High Court suspended the Gazette notice that reviewed the charges of the critical documents pending the determination of a petition filed by a Nakuru-based doctor.

"A conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending Gazette Notices No. 15239-15242 dated 6th November 2023 and/or any other document purporting to give authority to increase or review the charges/fees/levies specified therein pending the hearing and determination of this Application inter-partes," ordered Justice L.N Mugambi.

In the petition, Dr. Magare Gikenyi argues that the cost for the listed services was increased arbitrarily without any formula or public participation whatsoever.

Gikenyi's lawsuit named Cabinet Secretaries Njuguna Ndungu (Treasury) and Kithure Kindiki (Interior), the National Assembly, and the Attorney General as respondents.

The court directed that they be served within three days. The urgency of the matter led to its certification as urgent, with a mention set for 29 November to provide further directions.