The High Court of Kenya has issued a conservatory order suspending the recent fee hikes, pending the hearing and determination of a legal challenge.
The order came in response to a motion filed by Dr. Magare Gikenyi J. Benjamin, who challenged the government’s decision to increase various charges, fees, and levies, citing financial burden concerns.
The court’s decision, delivered in chambers by Judge L. N. Mugambi, came as a relief to many Kenyan citizens who have expressed deep concerns about the sudden spikes in fees for crucial services, including passports, national identification cards, and immigration-related matters.
The fee increases have been met with significant opposition, particularly due to their impact on services that are essential to Kenyan citizens. Among the notable increases are passport application fees, with the cost of a standard 34-page passport rising from KES 4,500 to KES 7,500. A 50-page passport now costs KES 9,500, up from KES 6,500, while the 66-page version increased to KES 12,000 from KES 7,500.
Lost passport replacement fees also saw substantial jumps, with Kenyans now required to pay KES 20,000 compared to the previous fee of KES 12,000. Replacing a mutilated passport has risen to KES 20,000 from KES 10,000. An express passport option now costs KES 30,000.
National identification card fees have also been altered, with the cost of replacing a lost ID card surging from KES 100 to KES 2,000. Other nationality and immigration fees have been revised, with the dual citizenship declaration now set at KES 10,000. Declaring Kenyan citizenship by marriage increased to KES 100,000 from KES 30,000, and business visit visas now cost $1,000. The visa fees for children of Kenyan citizens have been set at $200.
Foreigners residing in Kenya for over three continuous months must now pay KES 10,000 for an alien card, a significant increase from the previous fee of KES 2,000. Birth and death registration fees have also been raised to KES 200 from KES 50.
The fee hikes have prompted a fierce debate among Kenyan citizens, with many expressing concerns about the added financial burden for critical services. However, the government has defended the increases as necessary to bolster resources for more efficient passport and immigration administration.
The court has set November 29, 2023, for confirmation of compliance and further directions, signaling that this case will continue to be closely watched by Kenyans who eagerly await the final resolution of this contentious issue.
