Kenya Simplifies National ID Registration, Scraps KSh 300 Fee and Extra Vetting

The Kenyan government has moved to streamline the national identity card registration process, with local administrators in Isinya already guiding young people through documentation requirements before they complete their applications.

Huduma Centre staff assort yet-to-be-collected national IDs. Photo: Hudua Kenya. Source: TwitterAlexander Kang'ethe, a Senior Assistant Chief in Isinya Sub-County, said the previous system subjected applicants to lengthy vetting that slowed down the issuance of IDs considerably.

Under the revised approach, residents turning 18 can visit a local administrator's office for guidance before proceeding with formal registration. Kang'ethe added that some applicants are now receiving their cards in about three weeks.

Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo said the reforms are designed to correct long-standing inequalities in how Kenyans access identification documents.

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He noted that residents of certain border counties had historically been required to clear additional vetting steps that applicants in Nairobi were never subjected to, a disparity the government formally ended in February 2025.

The removal of supplementary vetting requirements for border county applicants is among the most significant changes introduced.

Rights advocates and affected residents had criticised the extra scrutiny for years, arguing it created delays and treated some communities unfairly.

The government later issued revised registration guidelines for administrators to reflect the new policy.

In March 2025, the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services also announced the scrapping of the KSh 300 first-time application fee, alongside commitments to cut processing delays.

Officials have cited different timelines at various stages, so the duration for receiving an ID may differ depending on location and application circumstances.

Chiefs' offices are playing a central role in the transition, helping residents understand which documents they need and where to register.

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The State Department requires all eligible applicants to appear in person at a registration office or Huduma Centre to apply, with the National Registration Bureau responsible for processing the cards.

Mobile registration outreach has also been deployed to bring services closer to communities, with the programme targeting sub-counties and specific locations to assist young people and those facing access barriers.

Omollo said securing identification for every eligible Kenyan is fundamental to equal access to services and to the country's broader development goals.

A national ID is routinely required when applying for employment, opening a bank account, accessing education financing or enrolling in government programmes.

Kai Eli (Politics and current affairs editor) Eli Kai is currently working with TUKO as a politics and current affairs editor. He has six years of experience in digital journalism. Eli joined Tuko.co.ke in 2021. Email: eli.odaga@tuko.co.ke