Kenyan Government Eliminates Fees for ID and Passport Vetting.
The government has abolished the Ksh 300 fee for first-time ID registration and the Ksh 500 vetting charge for passport applications. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen made this announcement in Nakuru County while launching a mobile registration drive for national identity cards. He stressed that eliminating these fees is a critical measure to ensure all Kenyans have access to essential identification services.
Background on ID Registration Fee Removal
This directive originated from the President’s visit to Nairobi, leading to a Gazette notice formally removing the Ksh 300 charge for new ID applicants. Initially, the government had suggested a Ksh 1,000 fee for first-time ID registration in November 2023, but public backlash led to its reduction to Ksh 300 before being completely scrapped.
Nationwide Mobile Registration and ID Tracking System
During the Nakuru event, hundreds of citizens applied for their IDs, and similar mobile registration drives are planned across the country. Additionally, Murkomen announced the upcoming launch of a post-issuance ID tracking system. This system will enable applicants to monitor the status of their ID applications in real-time via SMS notifications or an online platform.
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Passport Vetting Fees Also Removed
Further easing the burden on citizens, the CS declared that the Ksh 500 verification fee for birth certificate vetting during passport applications had been removed. He explained that the government assumes the validity of documents unless proven otherwise, making such fees unnecessary. This move ensures that Kenyans are not forced to pay for services that should be provided freely by the government.
Kenyan Government Eliminates Fees for ID and Passport Vetting.
