President Ruto Declares Free National IDs for All Kenyans

President William Ruto has announced that national IDs will be issued to Kenyans free of charge, reversing previous fees. He emphasized non-discriminatory practices during the ID application process. The directive was prompted by community requests and aims to enhance accessibility, though it may receive mixed reactions.

President William Ruto has declared that national identification documents (IDs) will now be provided to Kenyans free of charge. This announcement contrasts with prior government policy, which mandated a fee of Ksh300 for new applications and Ksh1,000 for renewals of IDs. During his tour of Nairobi County, Ruto instructed all government registration agencies to adhere to this directive.

Additionally, President Ruto emphasized that all Kenyans should be treated equally during the application process for IDs, without facing any form of discrimination based on their 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 directive stemmed from a request by Kibra Member of Parliament Mwalimu Peter Orero, who highlighted the difficulties faced by members of the Nubian community in obtaining IDs due to stringent requirements. Ruto’s order follows a similar initiative aimed at easing access for residents in the North Eastern region.

This announcement may generate varied responses from the community and political leaders, especially in light of past concerns regarding Ruto’s policy proclamations. The introduction of fees for ID cards had previously sparked public outrage, as many had criticized the government for creating barriers that disadvantaged unemployed youth and hindered their voting rights.

In May 2024, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki revised the fees, which had a significant impact on accessibility to this essential document.

In summary, President Ruto’s recent decision to eliminate fees for national ID applications marks a significant shift in government policy aimed at increasing accessibility for all Kenyans. The directive also highlights the importance of non-discrimination in the ID issuance process, responding to community concerns raised during public engagements. However, this move may provoke diverse public reactions, reflecting ongoing debates about access to identification and electoral participation.

Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke