Wamuzi News Ke
In a major policy shift, President William Ruto has scrapped all fees associated with obtaining national identification cards, ensuring that Kenyans will now receive their IDs free of charge.
Previously, citizens were required to pay Ksh300 for a new ID and Ksh1,000 for renewal, but Ruto overturned this directive during a public address in Kibra on Thursday. The president ordered all government agencies handling ID registrations to comply immediately with the new policy.
Emphasizing fairness in the process, Ruto insisted that no Kenyan should be subjected to discriminatory questioning based on their background when applying for identification documents. “I have directed that ID cards be issued without bias or any form of discrimination,” he declared.
His announcement came after Kibra MP Mwalimu Peter Orero raised concerns about members of the Nubian community facing difficulties in securing IDs due to stringent verification requirements. The lawmaker urged the president to not only issue the directive but also ensure its formal implementation through a gazette notice, similar to a previous order regarding ID applications in North Eastern Kenya.
While the decision has been welcomed by some, it is also expected to spark debate among political leaders and the public. Critics have frequently challenged Ruto’s impromptu policy announcements, labeling them as “roadside declarations” lacking proper planning and execution.
ID application fees have long been a contentious issue, with many Kenyans lamenting the financial burden. Opposition figures, including Martha Karua of the People’s Liberation Party of Kenya, have accused the government of using the costs as a strategy to disenfranchise unemployed youth ahead of the 2027 elections.
The scrapped fees were originally revised under former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki in May 2024, but with Ruto’s latest directive, the policy has now been reversed, making IDs accessible to all at no cost.
