Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that Identification Cards (IDs) will be issued for free.
In a gazette notice dated March 19, Murkomen scrapped the Ksh300 fee announced in 2023.
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“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 16 of the Registration of Persons Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration makes the following Rules- The Sixth Schedule to the Registration of Persons Rules is amended by deleting the expression ‘Ksh300’ appearing as fees for the item “Not Previously Registered (NPR)” and substituting therefor the expression ‘Nil’,” reads the notice.
Speaking during the official rollout of the National Mobile Registration Outreach Programme in Nakuru, Murkomen said the removal of charges is a crucial step in ensuring that every Kenyan has access to essential services.
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He also scrapped the Ksh500 fee that was previously charged for verification of details for Kenyans whose documents have questions during application of IDs and passports.
“I would like to announce that that there will be no fee for the verification process for those applying for IDs and passport. It will be free. Verification will be done by the government. Kenyans should not be forced to pay anything,” he said.
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Murkomen Defends Removal of Extra Verification for Some Counties
Additionally, Murkomen defended the decision to remove extra verification requirements for those living in border counties.
He said President William Ruto’s main goal is to ensure fairness in the issuance of identification documents.
He explained that the requirements also impacted cosmopolitan urban areas including Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa and other towns across the country.
Also Read: Ruto Issues Directive on Free Issuance of IDs
“Those who are living in the boarder have been denied IDs because of the location and we have removed that to ensure fairness and justice like President Ruto said,” he said.
He said applicants will get their IDs 10 days after finishing the application process.
Further, Murkomen said the discontinuation of vetting is meant to ensure a more efficient customer friendly registration process.
Also Read: How Govt Plans to Ensure National Security is Not Compromised After Ruto Order on IDs
Govt Security Protocol Retained
He explained that the government has retained the necessary verification controls to deter the fraudulent issue of IDs to any non-citizen wherever they may be.
“Security agencies remain vigilant in detecting and preventing non-compliance with the required verification procedures and will arrest and prosecute anyone who attempts to assist or acquire Kenyans IDs illegally,” he said.
He said the new procedure allows for accountability in case of a mistake as compared to the committee verification method.
“Previously, the verification was done on a committee, and no one was carrying the accountability burden. But right now, if the chief gives the wrong information, they are punished,” he said.
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