High Court Upholds Government’s Immigration and ID Fee Increases
Kenya’s High Court has upheld the government’s decision to raise fees for passports, ID cards, and other civil registration services, dismissing a petition that challenged the increases as unconstitutional.
The court ruled that the government followed due process when revising the fees through Gazette Notices in November 2023, saying the changes were justified to sustain service delivery amid rising costs.
“The rationale behind the revision of these charges has been legitimately and objectively justified,” the judgment stated, adding that the move aimed to create a self-sustaining funding model and reduce reliance on public debt.
The new structure sharply increased costs for key services. Replacing a lost national ID now costs Sh2,000, up from Sh100, while obtaining a new one costs Sh1,000. Passport fees were also raised, with a basic passport now priced at Sh7,500, up from Sh4,500.
The petition, filed in March 2024, argued that the increases violated constitutional principles of equity and public participation. It accused the Interior and Treasury ministries of imposing the hikes without adequate consultation.
However, the court found that public participation had been conducted through advertisements and public submissions, and that the Gazette Notices were legally valid. It rejected claims that the process was discriminatory or based on expired legal instruments.
The court also cited existing welfare programs — including cash transfers and youth funds — as sufficient measures to support vulnerable groups affected by the changes.
The ruling confirms the legality of the fee adjustments, allowing the government to continue implementing the new charges. Advocacy groups have signaled they may consider an appeal.
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High Court Upholds Government’s Immigration and ID Fee Increases