Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced sweeping reforms to the application process for identity cards, birth certificates, and death certificates.
Speaking in Homa Bay on Tuesday, September 16, during the International Identity Day celebrations, Murkomen ordered the immediate removal of authentication fees for birth certificates when applying for IDs and passports.
The CS said the removal of authentication fees would eliminate unnecessary financial barriers and align with the government’s vision of simplifying access to national identity cards.
“Effective today, the civil registration services will no longer charge any authentication fees for a birth certificate when applying for ID and passports. This step removes unnecessary financial barriers and aligns with our vision to simplify ID access,” the CS said.
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CS Murkomen Scraps Birth Certificate Authentication Fee in ID, Passport Applications
He further revealed plans to make the first issuance of birth and death certificates free of charge, ensuring that every child born in Kenya receives documentation regardless of income or location.
“While birth and death registration within six months is free, a fee is currently charged for obtaining birth or death certificates. The ministry is reviewing this policy with a view to making the first issuance of these certificates free of charge. Once this review is complete, with the support and direction of His Excellency the President, we shall commence the process of eliminating the same,” he added.
In addition, Murkomen announced plans for a user-friendly digital system to allow citizens to initiate and track their ID applications online.
The CS stated that Kenyans should have real-time information on the process and the status of their national identification application.
“We want to ensure that there is a seamless citizen-centric approach to the identity services,” he stated.
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Real-Time Biometric ID Verification System to Be Launched
As part of government efforts to strengthen identity management, Murkomen said they are today launching a real-time biometric ID verification system with three key modules.
One is an online solution that verifies a person’s identity even without a physical ID. Second, it integrates our current live capture system to verify all 10 fingerprints and issue a secure verification certificate.
Third, the system authenticates the validity of a physical ID against the data stored in the chip. This system will, in time, be linked to secure digital wallets enabling safe and convenient access to e-government services, healthcare, and digital payments.
“Identity is not just about documents; it is about dignity, belonging, and opportunity. It is the key that opens doors to education, healthcare, employment, security, and citizenship. It is also the document that enables you to make your choices, to vote, and to determine the leaders that you would like to vote for,” the CS said.
At the same time, Murkomen added that the government was reviewing the cost of replacing lost or damaged IDs, with the intention of lowering the current KSh1,050 fee.
He further revealed that a policy review was underway to recognize and document small and unrecognized communities that still face systemic challenges in securing documentation.
“Every Kenyan counts, and every Kenyan must be counted,” he affirmed.
Murkomen also directed and assured that the government will progressively expand civil registration offices to ensure all 290 constituencies are fully covered by 2027, guaranteeing every child access to birth registration services as close to their place of birth as possible.
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