Ruto announces free issuance of IDs
President William Ruto has announced the free issuance of national Identity Cards (IDs)
President William Ruto has announced the free issuance of national Identity Cards (IDs).
Speaking during his tour of Kibra on Thursday, March 13, Ruto noted that Kenyans should not be charged for the ID cards.
This is a departure from the initial government directive that required Kenyans to part with Ksh300 for new applications and Ksh1,000 for renewals.
Ruto added that the new directive was aimed at ensuring that Kenyans are not left out, given that he had also removed the requirement for extra vetting.
“I have said that the bias in the issuance of IDs should be removed. All citizens should be given IDs.
“I also want to announce here in Kibra that IDs should be issued without any charges and any bias,” the Head of State announced.
The directive of the President came after the government introduced an increase in charges for the processing of ID cards.
In the new charges that took effect on January 2024, Kenyans were to pay Ksh300 during the first application of an ID.
Those seeking replacements for their lost IDs were to pay Ksh1,000.
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It is not clear whether Ruto’s new policy will also apply to those seeking to replace IDs.
Charges on ID cards have been an issue of concern to Kenyans, who have in the past raised objections to the government’s lowering of rates on applications and renewals.
Politicians, including People’s Liberation Party of Kenya leader Martha Karua, have in the past faulted the government on the charges, claiming it was a plot to lock out thousands of youth without employment from voting in the 2027 elections.
In May 2024, the then Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki gazetted the revised charges that mandated Kenyans to part with Ksh300 for new applications and Ksh1,000 for renewals.
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