Kenyans will now receive national identification cards (IDs) free of charge, following a directive from President William Ruto.
The announcement marks a reversal of the initial government policy, which required citizens to pay Ksh300 for a new ID application and Ksh1,000 for renewal.
Speaking on Thursday at Ayany in Kibra, during the final day of his four-day working tour of Nairobi County, President Ruto directed all relevant government agencies to comply with the new order and ensure that every citizen can access an ID without financial barriers.
A Commitment to Equal Access
The President emphasized that the issuance of IDs should be done fairly and without discrimination, ensuring that all Kenyans, regardless of their background or location, can access their national identity documents with ease.
“I have said that matters of ID be issued without any discrimination. Every citizen should be given an ID card without discrimination,” Ruto stated.
He further reassured Kibra residents and the entire nation that the process would be streamlined to eliminate unnecessary delays and barriers, making it easier for Kenyans to obtain their crucial identification documents.
“I want to announce here at Kibra that IDs should be issued without any payments and with a plan that is free from any sort of discrimination,” he ordered.
Reactions and Impact
The directive has been welcomed by many Kenyans, especially youths and low-income earners, who often struggle to raise money for ID registration. The move is expected to ease financial burdens, especially for first-time applicants, and boost access to essential services that require national identification.
However, some have raised concerns about the implementation process, questioning whether the government has allocated sufficient resources and infrastructure to handle the expected surge in ID applications.
Implementation and Next Steps
Government agencies, including the National Registration Bureau (NRB), are now expected to follow through on the President’s directive and issue a clear framework for free ID issuance. The changes will also likely impact the rollout of new digital identification systems, which the government has been working on.
As Kenyans wait for further details on how and when the directive will take full effect, the announcement signals a significant step towards enhancing access to national identification and removing financial hurdles in government services.
