Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday, November 14, revoked the special gazette notice that had revised upwards fees for various citizen registration services.
In a special issue, the CS announced that all changes that had been announced would be revoked to allow public participation in the review.
Additionally, the CS issued new fees and levies to be charged on various services should the recommendations sail through.
To the reprieve of Kenyans, the new proposed revision reduced fees set for ID replacement from the previous Ksh2,000 to Ksh1,000.
However, the charges would still be a significant increment compared to the current Ksh100 paid by Kenyans seeking ID duplicates.
Kenyans seeking to change details including names on their IDs would still have to pay Ksh 1,000 as the fees remained constant in both notices.
Similarly, the plight of first time ID applicants was also addressed in the latest notice. According to Kindiki, the government will offer waivers for Kenyans who demonstrate inability to pay the set amount.
“On the particular issue of acquisition of National Identity Cards by previously not registered citizens, the Government shall defray the costs of the revised charges, fees and levies through a waiver for indigent Kenyans who demonstrate inability to pay,” Kindiki announced.
Also Read: Govt Forced to Apologize After Error in New Service Fees
Births certificates fees to increase
The state further reiterated its intention to increase fees for other services including birth certificates where applicants would have to part with Ksh 200 for certification of current births- up from the previous Ksh 50.
Those who fail to register births in time in what is referred to as late registration of birth certificates would pay Ksh 500- an increment from the previous Ksh 150.
For certification of deaths, the Ministry announced that certification of current death will come with a fee of Ksh 200- up from the previous Ksh 50.
Fees for late registration of death would also be revised upwards from the current Ksh 150 to Ksh 500 should the recommendations sail through.
As per the notice on Tuesday, the recommended charges would take effect only until January 1, 2024.
Also Read: Kindiki Makes Changes on ID, Passport & Marriage Application Charges
Kidiki calls for public participation
Meanwhile, the Interior CS directed the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services to conduct and complete public participation and complete the exercise not later than December 10, 2023.
In the statement, Kindiki said the fee reviews are informed by the need to attain self-reliance in financing the National Budget and to wean the Country from unsustainable debt.
The review came days after the first gazette notice sparked an uproar among Kenyans. Among the greatest concerns raised was the fees for first time ID applicants which was at the time set at Ksh1,000.
Kenyans from various quarters expressed their reservations against the review, among them a Kenyan citizen who moved to court seeking orders to stop the state from implementing the new fees temporarily.
