𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐮𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐃 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬.

BY FLORENCE SIMIYU, TMG JOURNALIST.

President William Ruto has announced that all Kenyans aged 18 and above will now receive national identity (ID) cards free of charge. The directive, issued on Thursday during his tour of Kibra Constituency in Nairobi, reverses a previously gazetted fee increase and aims to eliminate financial and bureaucratic barriers to accessing identification documents. Ruto emphasized that every Kenyan should receive an ID without discrimination, ensuring equal access for all citizens.

The directive overturns a fee hike introduced in January 2024 by former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, now the Deputy President. The adjustment had raised the cost of acquiring a first-time ID from Sh100 to Sh300, following an initial proposal to set it at Sh1,000—a move that was met with public backlash. Kindiki had justified the new fees as a measure to reduce Kenya’s dependence on external debt, but critics argued that the increased cost hindered access to the crucial document, particularly for young adults. The opposition also pushed for the fee to be scrapped, citing concerns that it disproportionately affected low-income Kenyans.

Ruto’s decision follows widespread public outcry, particularly from 18-year-olds unable to afford the Sh300 application fee. Additionally, the President has addressed other barriers in the ID issuance process, including lifting the vetting requirement for applicants in the Northeastern region. The vetting process had long been criticized as discriminatory, and its removal ensures that all Kenyans, regardless of their background, have equal access to identification documents.

The move is seen as a significant step in ensuring equal access to identification, which is essential for obtaining government services, employment opportunities, and financial services. The government will now absorb the cost of producing ID cards, removing financial hardship for first-time applicants. As implementation begins, attention will be on streamlining the registration process, eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, and ensuring efficient issuance of IDs without unnecessary delays.

With this directive, President Ruto reaffirms his administration’s commitment to inclusivity and national unity by removing barriers that have historically disadvantaged certain communities in the ID registration process.