The government has extended the waiver on fees for the replacement of national identity cards and changes to personal details for an additional six months, offering relief to Kenyans seeking essential 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 through the Registration of Persons (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which replaces the initial six-month waiver with a defined period running from April 30 to October 30, 2026.
Murkomen said the move is part of ongoing efforts to improve access to identification documents across the country.
“We are committed to ensuring that all citizens can acquire vital identification documents to access government services and other opportunities,” he said.
The waiver covers fees typically charged for replacing lost or damaged identity cards, as well as for updating personal details, costs that have often locked out low-income earners and marginalised groups.
The CS noted that the extension aligns with other recent reforms, including the removal of fees for first-time ID applicants and the scrapping of authentication charges for birth certificates.
He urged Kenyans who have yet to apply for or update their IDs to take advantage of the extended window.
“I call on all eligible Kenyans to take advantage of this waiver and register for ID cards,” Murkomen said.
National identity cards remain a key requirement for accessing services such as banking, mobile money registration, employment opportunities, and government programmes.
The extension is expected to boost registration rates and bring more citizens into the national identification system, even as the government continues efforts to streamline civil registration services.
The decision also follows earlier proposals, later reversed that would have seen new ID application fees rise to Sh1,000 from Sh300, and replacement charges increase to Sh2,000 before being reduced to Sh1,000 after public backlash.
