Kenyans applying for Identification Cards (IDs), will no longer be required to pay application fees. Similarly, those applying for passports will not pay verification fees.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the removal of the fees following the official gazettement of a notice implementing President William Ruto’s directive to scrap the charges.
''I would want to announce that there will be no amounts that will be paid on the application process of IDs. It will be free,'' Murkomen announced.
''Even for those looking for passports if you go anywhere and you are required to pay Ksh500 for passports, do not pay. I want to announce that we have done away with that money,'' he added.
According to Murkomen, the government will solely undertake the verification exercise, meaning Kenyans will not be required to pay for the process.
“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, therefore, the expression ‘Nil,’” read part of the gazette notice by Murkomen, confirming the removal of ID verification fees.
Further, the CS announced that the government is in the process of completing the introduction of virtual IDs that will do away with the physical ones currently issued to Kenyans.
Under the new process, Kenyans will have a digital pocket, eliminating the need to carry a physical ID.
According to Murkomen, this initiative will help the government address key security challenges, including online fraud, which has been a persistent concern.
"We are in the process of introducing virtual IDs, and it will no longer be necessary to carry a physical ID. Once you have the virtual card, you will be able to present it digitally, even when requested by the police," Murkomen explained.
He further noted that the digital wallet will allow citizens to track their shopping and transactions, enhancing security and promoting financial transparency.
The government aims to register 70,000 Kenyans under the National Mobile Registration Outreach Programme, launched in Nakuru by the CS.
