Kenyans seeking national identification cards will no longer be required to pay the Ksh 300 registration fee after the government officially gazetted the directive.
In a legal notice dated March 19, 2025, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced amendments to the Registration of Persons Rules, effectively scrapping the application fee for first-time ID applicants.
“The Sixth Schedule to the Registration of Persons Rules is amended by deleting the expression ‘KSh. 300’ appearing as fees for the item ‘Not Previously Registered (NPR)’ and substituting therefor the expression ‘Nil’,” the notice reads.
The move follows President William Ruto’s directive to ease access to essential identification documents, particularly benefiting young Kenyans and marginalized communities who previously faced financial barriers to obtaining IDs.
The president made the declaration in Kibera during a five-day tour of Nairobi county.
“No Kenyan should have to choose between food and their rightful identification. Every Kenyan should receive an ID without any form of discrimination,” President Ruto declared while announcing the policy shift.
In February, President Ruto had announced an end to excessive ID vetting requirements for border county residents meaning citizens in Wajir, Garissa, and Busia would no longer face unfair scrutiny when applying for identification documents.
For years, obtaining an ID has been a frustrating process, especially for unemployed youths, students, and those from low-income families. According to the government, the policy shift marks a bold step toward a more inclusive Kenya.
The gazette notice, therefore, provides legal backing to the government’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible citizen has access to identification documents without financial strain.
Speaking earlier on the matter, President Ruto emphasized that IDs should not be a privilege but a right for all citizens. The government aims to enhance accessibility to crucial services by eliminating unnecessary financial obstacles.
The amendment comes as part of a series of reforms aimed at ensuring all citizens, regardless of economic status, can access essential documents.
Youths, specifically, will emerge as the biggest beneficiary of the directive. The government notes that abolishing these fees ensures they can fully participate in national matters by getting employment, opening a bank account, registering for government services, and even voting.
Proper identification will also enable young Kenyans have access mobile banking, e-commerce, and digital financial services.
Another sector where youth are set to benefit is in the employment. Employers often require national IDs during recruitment, making the lack of one a major obstacle to securing jobs.
The free ID policy removes this obstacle, making it easier for youths to transition from education to the workforce without bureaucratic and financial burdens.
According to a policy document regarding the IDs, essential security checks will still be conducted during the registration process to enhance national security.
These will include;
1. Identity Verification – birth and school records systems will help in the validation of applications.
2. Guarantor System – each applicant is required to have a guarantor, a registered Kenyan citizen as an additional layer of authentication.
3. Advanced Biometric Technology – biometric systems help detect fraudulent applications and cross-reference foreign biometrics collected under the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system.
4. Legal Consequences – providing false information remains a crime, with illegally obtained IDs subject to revocation, legal action, and even deportation where applicable.
5. Stronger Collaboration between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Immigration to enhance information sharing thus maintaining an accurate and secure national registry.
By Nairobi