Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen issued a Gazette Notice officially removing the KSh 300 fee previously required for first-time applicants of Kenyan national identity cards. This action aligns with President William Ruto’s recent directive to make ID issuance free of charge, aiming to enhance accessibility for all citizens.

President Ruto announced the policy change during a visit to Kibra, Nairobi County, stating, “I would like to announce today while I am in Kibra that identity card issuance should be done without any form of payment.”

The abolition of the KSh 300 fee reverses a 2024 increase that had raised the cost from KSh 100 to KSh 300 for new ID applicants. This fee was initially introduced by former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, who now serves as Deputy President.

In addition to eliminating the application fee, the government has also removed charges associated with passport verification processes. Murkomen emphasized that Kenyans should not be required to pay for document verification, as this responsibility lies with the government.

Looking ahead, the government is working on implementing virtual IDs, aiming to provide digital identification options that enhance security and convenience for citizens.