Govt Reveals Reason for ID Delays, Announces Ksh1,000 Fee
Govt Reveals Reason for ID Delays, Announces Ksh1,000 Fee
Govt Reveals Reason for ID Delays, Announces Ksh1,000 Fee
In response to complaints from Kenyans that their applications for ID replacements, which they had submitted months earlier, had not yet been fulfilled, Huduma Kenya announced on Thursday, May 30, that the National Identity card issue had been delayed due to ongoing court cases.
The organization also disclosed to Kenyans that individuals requiring identity card replacements would have to pay Ksh1,000. “We are experiencing delays due to the high court order that blocked the production of new digital ID cards/Maisha cards,” Huduma Kenya informed distraught Kenyans.
“The problem has been fixed, and we’re trying to clear the backlog so your ID can be ready soon.”
The courts halted the issuance of Maisha Cards, or new digital IDs, in December 2024.
This came about as a result of a petition submitted by Katiba Institute, which cited the Data Protection Act, expressing concerns about the possibility that biometric data obtained during application processes would endanger the rights and liberties of data subjects.
The High Court lifted the stay on February 23, allowing the administration of President William Ruto to begin distributing the digital ID cards.
Since then, the Ministry of Interior has begun to clear the backlog that resulted from the court order.
In order to increase money, the Interior Cabinet Secretary declared in November 2023 that the Immigration Department will charge Ksh1,000 for ID replacements.
Kindiki was compelled to withdraw the Gazette Notice a day later due to public outcry, despite having earlier suggested charging Kenyans Ksh2,000 to replace their ID cards.
“The new intended charges, fees and levies have been adjusted to accommodate views of the public already received following the publication of the revoked Gazette Notices,” Kindiki stated on November 14, 2023.
Huduma Kenya declared that in order to update their ID, applicants must obtain a police abstract, which is available at any of their locations nationwide.
