Kenya Eliminates ID Application Fees, Introduces Stricter Verification Requirements Nationwide

The Kenyan government has launched a revamped national identification card registration process, waiving application fees and introducing stricter verification measures.

This is according to a recent announcement by Aggrey Masai, Director of the National Registration Bureau. Speaking in Nakuru, Masai outlined the new framework aimed at enhancing the integrity of the ID issuance system, particularly in regions prone to challenges related to undocumented individuals. Under the revised guidelines, all applicants must be accompanied by at least one parent during the registration process.

Local chiefs and administrative officers will bear the responsibility of verifying the parent-child relationship and confirming the applicant's identity. These measures seek to address concerns about the potential acquisition of Kenyan IDs by unqualified individuals, especially in border areas.
Masai emphasizes that the new procedures do not eliminate vetting but rather strengthen it through increased accountability.

Chiefs will face legal consequences if non-citizens are mistakenly issued identification documents, reinforcing the need for thorough due diligence.
Alongside these security enhancements, the government is digitizing the registration process to significantly reduce processing times. Kenyans can now expect to receive their IDs within six days, marking a considerable improvement over previous delays. This modernization effort reflects the government's commitment to improving public service delivery.

The nationwide registration drive will extend to all 290 constituencies, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen expected to officially launch the initiative in Nakuru. The government aims to register 70,000 new citizens within a 90-day period. Masai expresses confidence that these measures will enhance the credibility of the registration process, especially in regions where border porosity has historically posed challenges to the identification system.