Hidden Reason Why Kenyans Must Renew Their IDs

The Department of Immigration is set to issue new national ID cards with a ten-year expiration, a move attributed to security measures, according to an official from the Ministry of Interior.

Contrary to speculations on social media, the official stated that the expiry date is not a revenue generation tactic, clarifying that this plan predates the halted Maisah Namba digital ID project.

While some citizens have expressed concerns about potential revenue generation through renewal fees, the official asserted that the microchip’s configured expiry is a global security practice for credentials with embedded chips. This measure, the source explained, is not unique to Kenya but is part of international norms.

The introduction of an expiry date on Kenya’s national ID cards is a departure from its southern neighbor, Tanzania, which removed the expiry date from its national ID in February 2023. Home Affairs Minister Hamad Masauni explained that this step aimed to reduce inconveniences associated with ID renewal.

Despite Kenya’s attempt to increase fees for identity credentials at the end of the previous year, including national ID cards, birth certificates, work permits, and passports, the plan faced legal challenges following public complaints.

It is worth noting that the government had announced a fee hike, but a court intervention halted its implementation.

Amidst debates surrounding the Maisah Namba project’s status, with reports suggesting a silent resumption despite previous suspension, the government maintains its denial.

The ID-issuing authority emphasizes that the microchip’s programmed expiry aligns with global security standards and emphasizes the non-financial nature of the expiration date plan.

As Kenya adapts its national ID card system to incorporate expiration dates, it follows global practices aimed at enhancing security measures in identification credentials. The government remains steadfast in its commitment to implementing these changes, addressing concerns and dispelling notions of revenue-driven motives in the process.