The government has launched a new national identity card registration drive targeting marginalized groups, including communities living along national borders, prisoners and high school students.
Immigration and Citizens Services Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok announced the initiative on Thursday in Kajiado, emphasizing its role in improving access to essential services such as medical insurance under the Social Health Authority.
Speaking at the Kajiado Prison during the launch, PS Bitok highlighted that the exercise would benefit from the recent abolition of ID vetting, ensuring faster and more inclusive registration.
“Vetting and other historical disadvantages discouraged many eligible Kenyans from acquiring IDs. We now want them to take advantage of the President’s directive and obtain their IDs without unnecessary barriers,” he said.
Last month, President William Ruto signed a proclamation disbanding ID vetting committees in 22 counties along national boundaries. The move was aimed at eliminating years of discrimination, corruption, and delays associated with the vetting process.
On Thursday, President Ruto reinforced the directive by waiving the Ksh300 registration fee for first-time ID applicants.
“Discrimination in accessing IDs must stop, and I have directed that all qualified Kenyans should receive IDs free of charge,” he stated in Lang’ata, Nairobi.
During a community baraza at the Kajiado KCB grounds, PS Bitok urged residents to take advantage of the waiver and apply for IDs, which are crucial for accessing government services through eCitizen and other platforms.
He also clarified that individuals previously subjected to vetting no longer need to travel to their counties of origin to apply for an ID.
Instead, all eligible applicants can now register for a Maisha Card at any National Registration Bureau office or Huduma Center across the country.
The registration of prisoners is a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Interior and Health to ensure inmates can access affordable healthcare.
The drive will facilitate both first-time ID applicants and those seeking replacements within correctional facilities.
For high school students, the initiative builds on an earlier collaboration with the Ministry of Education aimed at ensuring all eligible Form Four students leave school with national IDs.
The government’s renewed focus on streamlining ID registration is expected to enhance access to key services, promote inclusivity and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that have long hindered many Kenyans from obtaining identification documents.
