President William Ruto has declared that all Kenyan citizens will now receive their National Identity (ID) cards free of charge, a significant move aimed at eliminating the costs and bureaucratic hurdles previously associated with obtaining the vital document.
Speaking during a visit to Kibra slums on Thursday, President Ruto emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring that every Kenyan, regardless of their background, receives an ID without any financial barriers. He expressed his determination to end any form of discrimination in the issuance process.
“Nimesema maneno ya ubaguzi kwa mambo ya ID tuyatupilie mbali; kila mwananchi apatiwe ID. Natangaza nikiwa hapa Kibra ya kwamba kitambulisho ipatianwe bila malipo yoyote. Kila mtu apatiwe kitambulisho bila malipo na kwa mpango ambao hauna ubanguzi kwa Wakenya,” President Ruto stated.
The declaration brings relief to many Kenyans who have previously been required to pay a fee of Ksh. 300 to obtain their ID cards. This is also a response to concerns over the government’s earlier proposal to increase the ID application fee to Ksh. 2,000, which had faced significant backlash.
Earlier, the government had planned to raise the first-time application fee to Ksh. 1,000 and the replacement fee for lost IDs to Ksh. 2,000. However, after public outcry, the government revised these charges down to Ksh. 300 and Ksh. 1,000, respectively.
President Ruto's announcement is part of a broader initiative to modernize the national identification system, making it more accessible to all citizens. It follows his recent decision to eliminate a 60-year-old vetting requirement for citizens in border counties applying for IDs.
During a Presidential Proclamation ceremony in Wajir last month, President Ruto declared, “Leo nimesema hiyo vetting imekwisha; hakuna kuendelea kuonea watu wengine. Hii ubaguzi imedumu miaka 60 tulisema tutatoa,” signaling an end to the discriminatory practice that had long plagued Kenyans from certain regions.
The decision to issue IDs for free and remove bureaucratic barriers is expected to have a positive impact on national inclusivity, helping more Kenyans gain access to services and exercise their constitutional rights.
As the government works to streamline the ID issuance process, President Ruto’s latest move aligns with his broader efforts to promote fairness and equality for all citizens across the country.
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