Ruto Waives ID Replacement Fees to Encourage Voter Registration
President Ruto has announced that Kenyans will not be charged for replacing lost national ID cards until after the 2027 General Election. The President said the temporary waiver is to ensure all eligible citizens can register as voters without financial hurdles.
Speaking on Saturday during the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) centenary celebrations in Nyang’ori, Vihiga County, Ruto said the decision is to promote inclusivity and participation in the next polls.
“We will not deny anyone the opportunity to register as a voter because of not having an ID,” Ruto said.
The ID replacement fee was introduced to discourage individuals who lost their IDs frequently after being issued for free. But the waiver will be in place until after the next general election to facilitate voter registration across the country.
The event was attended by top leaders including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka, Vihiga Governor Wilber Otichilo and several MPs and county reps.
In his address, Ruto also announced the launch of two national financial instruments — the Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund — to transform Kenya’s economy and secure its future.
He said the Infrastructure Fund will be used to boost agricultural productivity through irrigation, agro-processing and value addition and support industrialisation, manufacturing and power generation.
“Currently we generate only 2,300 megawatts which is not enough to take us to the next level. We need at least 10,000 megawatts to transform this country into an industrialised and manufacturing nation,” Ruto said.
On the Sovereign Wealth Fund, the President said saving national revenues for future use is better than spending all the resources immediately. Such funds are crucial for stabilising economies and long term financial sustainability.
He urged Kenyans to work together to unlock the country’s economic potential and stop being complacent.
“We must change this country. We cannot talk without acting. Kenya is not supposed to be a Third World country,” he said.
Ruto also warned health facilities against charging patients for outpatient services at dispensaries, health centres and sub-county hospitals, reiterating that the government already covers those costs.He said 2.5 million vulnerable citizens who cannot pay to Social Health Authority (SHA) have been fully covered by the government to the tune of Sh3.7 billion.
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Ruto Waives ID Replacement Fees to Encourage Voter Registration