President Ruto declared that national IDs for Kenyans will be free of charge, eliminating previous fees. He insisted on non-discriminatory issuance procedures, reflecting efforts to address the needs of marginalized communities, particularly the Nubians. The announcement follows previous criticisms regarding ID application fees and their implications for electoral participation.
President William Ruto has announced that national identification documents (IDs) will now be issued to Kenyans at no cost, diverging from the previous fees of Ksh300 for new applications and Ksh1,000 for renewals. This directive was made during Ruto’s visit to Kibra, where he mandated that all government registration agencies comply with this new approach.
In his speech, Ruto emphasized the importance of issuing IDs without any form of discrimination based on individuals’ backgrounds. He stated, “I have said that matters of ID be issued without any discrimination. Every citizen should be given an ID card without discrimination.”
The president’s decision came in response to a request from Kibra MP Mwalimu Peter Orero, who highlighted the challenges faced by the Nubian community in obtaining IDs due to strict regulations. The MP suggested that this directive should lead to the gazettement similar to an earlier order for North Eastern Kenya.
The announcement has stirred debates among the public and politicians who previously criticized Ruto’s policies. Concerns about the affordability of ID applications have been raised, with critics claiming these charges disenfranchise unemployed youth from voting in the upcoming 2027 elections. Notably, in May 2024, new Secretary Kithure Kindiki implemented fees of Ksh300 and Ksh1,000 for ID applications and renewals, respectively.
President Ruto’s recent declaration to eliminate costs associated with national ID issuance marks a significant policy shift aimed at inclusivity. By prioritizing discrimination-free access to IDs, he addresses the concerns of marginalized communities, particularly the Nubian population. The response to this directive may vary, especially given historical criticism over ID application fees and their potential impact on voter participation among youth.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
