Kindiki Revokes Increase of Charges for IDs, Passports After Uproar

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has revoked a Gazette notice that increased fees for key documents such as identity cards, passports, birth certificates and government staff badges – some by as much as 20 times – to allow for public participation following a national uproar.

In a new notice, Prof Kindiki announced revised charges, giving Kenyans until December 10, 2023, to submit their views on the proposed rates.

While Prof Kindiki reduced some of the fees in the new notice, he retained some, defending the move by pointing to escalating costs and a runaway debt that the government has to deal with.

“The intended revised charges, fees and levies are informed by the need for Kenya’s self-reliance in financing the National Budget, to wean the country from unsustainable debt that poses grave threats to our sovereignty and the dignity of future generations,” Prof Kindiki said.

He went on: “The State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services has been directed to conduct and complete public participation as soon as possible, but in any case, not later than December 10, 2023.”

The new charges are to take effect on January 1, 2024.

The High Court had suspended the implementation of the Gazette notice Prof Kindiki revoked Tuesday, citing lack of public participation, after a Nakuru-based surgeon Dr Magare Gikenyi went to court to stop their implementation.

In the new changes, new identity card applicants, who currently do not pay a cent, will part with Sh300, down from an initial proposed fee of Sh1,000 in the revoked notice.