Murkomen Scraps ID Authentication Fee in Major ID Access Reform
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has announced far reaching reforms to make it easier and cheaper for Kenyans to get important identification documents.
Speaking in Homa Bay County on Tuesday, Murkomen said authentication fees for a birth certificate when applying for ID and passports have been scrapped with immediate effect. He described the move as part of the government’s plan to eliminate unnecessary financial hurdles to IDs.
“From today, civil registration services will no longer charge any authentication fees for a birth certificate when applying for ID and passports. This removes unnecessary financial barriers and is in line with our vision to simplify ID access,” Murkomen said.
The CS also announced that the government is working to scrap charges for birth and death certificate applications so all Kenyans regardless of location or financial background can access these documents. He added that the cost of replacing ID cards is under review and plans to reduce the current fee of Ksh1,050.
Besides the financial reforms, Murkomen unveiled a new policy framework to recognize and document small and previously unrecognised communities that still face challenges in getting identification. “Every Kenyan counts, and every Kenyan must be counted,” he emphasized.
To make it even more convenient, the Interior Ministry will roll out a digital system where Kenyans will be able to initiate and track ID applications online. The new system will provide real time updates on application status and transparency.
“We want a citizen centric approach to identity services,” Murkomen said adding that the government will build more civil registration offices across the country to increase access.
Murkomen also urged Kenyans who have not applied or collected their processed IDs to do so soon, noting that ID cards are key to participation in the 2027 general elections.
The CS did not mince words when he took a swipe at critics, particularly politicians opposing the government’s decision to scrap ID vetting in North Eastern counties. He accused them of trying to derail progress by politicising a matter that affects citizens’ right to documentation.
Through these reforms the Interior Ministry hopes to dismantle barriers, reduce costs and speed up delivery of identification services in what Murkomen termed a big ID access reform.
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Murkomen Scraps ID Authentication Fee in Major ID Access Reform