Nairobi — The Kenyan government has announced a significant change in the cost associated with applying for a National Identity Card (ID), affecting thousands of Kenyan citizens.

Effective immediately, individuals who have reached the age of 18 and are seeking to obtain their ID will be required to pay Sh1,000 for the application process.

This shift marks a substantial departure from the previous policy, where obtaining an ID was a free service provided by the government, in what has sparked uproar among Kenyans.

Moreover, for Kenyan citizens in need of replacing their lost or damaged IDs, the government has implemented a significant increase in charges. The fee for ID replacements has surged 20-fold, resulting in a cost of Ksh 2,000, up from the previous Sh100.

The official announcement of these changes came through a Gazette Notice dated November 6, issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.

The Gazette Notice stated, "It is hereby notified to the general public that, pursuant to Regulation 60 of the Public Finance Management (National Government) Regulations, 2015, the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning has granted the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration the authority to revise charges and levies on its services within the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services."

While these adjustments will impact all Kenyan citizens aged 18 and above who are in the process of obtaining their ID for the first time, the application process itself remains unchanged. Citizens can continue to apply for their initial IDs through the National Registration Bureau and Huduma Centres located across the nation.

These new fees for ID acquisition and replacements are expected to have a significant effect on the Kenyan population, particularly young adults and those requiring replacement IDs, as they navigate the financial implications of this revised documentation process.