The Kenyan government has officially removed application fees for Identification Cards (IDs) and verification fees for passports, making the process free for all citizens. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the move following a gazette notice implementing President William Ruto’s directive to eliminate the charges.
“I want to announce that there will be no fees required for ID applications. It will be free,” Murkomen stated. He also clarified that passport applicants should not pay any verification fees. “Even for those looking for passports, if you go anywhere and are asked to pay KES 500 for passport verification, do not pay. That fee has been removed,” he added.
The gazette notice outlined the legal basis for the changes, amending the Registration of Persons Rules by replacing the KES 300 application fee with “Nil.” Murkomen assured citizens that the government would now cover the costs of verification, easing the financial burden on applicants.
Beyond the removal of fees, the government is advancing efforts to introduce digital identification. Murkomen announced that virtual IDs will replace physical ID cards in the future, streamlining identification processes and reducing reliance on hard copies.
Under the proposed system, Kenyans will have a digital pocket where their virtual ID will be stored, allowing them to present it digitally when required. This includes situations such as police checks and other official verifications. “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.
The shift toward digital identification is also aimed at enhancing security and combating rising cases of online fraud. The digital wallet system is expected to promote financial transparency by allowing citizens to track their shopping and transactions.
As part of this transformation, the government has launched the National Mobile Registration Outreach Programme in Nakuru. The initiative aims to register 70,000 Kenyans for the new digital identification system. Officers from the National Registration Bureau have been deployed to facilitate the process, with successful applicants expected to receive their IDs within 10 days.
