Kenyans can now obtain their national identity cards free of charge after the government abolished the Sh300 application fee, following President William Ruto’s directive. The decision, formalized through a Gazette notice dated March 19, marks a significant policy shift aimed at making identification documents more accessible to all citizens.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen officially amended the Registration of Persons Act to eliminate the cost associated with acquiring an ID for first-time applicants. According to the Gazette notice, “The Sixth Schedule to the Registration of Persons Rules is amended by deleting the expression ‘Sh300’ appearing as fees for the item ‘Not Previously Registered (NPR)’ and substituting therefore the expression ‘Nil.’” The changes will be cited as the Registration of Persons (Amendment) Rules, 2025.
The move follows President Ruto’s announcement in Kibra last week, where he emphasized the need to ensure every eligible Kenyan has access to identification documents without financial barriers. Ruto’s directive reverses a previously implemented fee hike that had increased the cost of obtaining an ID from Sh100 to Sh300 in 2024.
“I want to announce here in Kibra today that IDs will now be issued free of charge,” President Ruto stated during his visit to the area. The decision aligns with the government’s broader commitment to ease bureaucratic and financial hurdles that have historically limited access to essential government services.
The abolition of the ID application fee is expected to benefit millions of Kenyans, particularly those from low-income backgrounds who may have struggled to raise the required funds. An ID card is a crucial document necessary for accessing various services, including opening bank accounts, voting, securing employment, and applying for government programs.
With this policy change, the government aims to enhance national registration and streamline service delivery. The move has been widely welcomed by citizens and civil rights groups, who have long advocated for the removal of financial barriers to obtaining identification documents.
As the new rules take effect, Kenyans aged 18 and above can now apply for their ID cards at no cost, ensuring greater inclusivity and compliance with national registration requirements.
