NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenyan government has extended the waiver on fees for the replacement of national identity cards and changes to personal details for a further six months, in a move aimed at improving access to critical identification services.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the extension takes effect from April 30, 2026, following the issuance of a Special Gazette Notice under the Registration of Persons Act.
“We have today issued a Special Gazette Notice extending the waiver period for fees charged on the replacement of IDs and change of particulars for a further six months,” Murkomen said.
The extension is formalised in the Registration of Persons (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which revise an earlier provision that had limited the waiver to an initial six-month period. The amendment now sets a defined window running from April 30 to October 30, giving Kenyans additional time to benefit.
Murkomen said the decision forms part of broader government efforts to ensure all citizens can access identification documents required for everyday life.
“We are committed to ensuring that all citizens can acquire vital identification documents to access government services and other opportunities,” he said.
The waiver applies to fees typically charged for replacing lost or damaged identity cards, as well as updating personal details, costs that have long been cited as barriers, particularly for low-income earners and residents of marginalised areas.
The policy aligns with other recent measures, including the removal of charges for first-time ID applicants and the scrapping of authentication fees for birth certificates.
Why national IDs matter
In Kenya, national identity cards are a cornerstone of civic and economic participation. They are required to:
- Open bank accounts
- Register mobile money services
- Access employment
- Benefit from government programmes
By easing the financial burden, authorities hope to accelerate registration rates and bring more citizens into the formal system.
The move also supports ongoing reforms aimed at streamlining civil registration processes and improving service delivery.
Also Read: Isiolo residents access national IDs as Kenya expands mobile registration drive
The extension comes after the government backed down on earlier proposals to significantly raise ID-related charges.
Under those proposals:
- New ID applications were to cost Sh300, with plans to increase the fee to Sh1,000
- Replacement fees were set to rise to Sh2,000 before being revised down to Sh1,000 following public backlash
The reversal reflects sensitivity to public concerns over affordability, particularly at a time of broader economic pressure.
Murkomen urged Kenyans who have not yet applied for or updated their identity documents to take advantage of the extended waiver period.
“I call on all eligible Kenyans to take advantage of this waiver and register for ID cards,” he said.
