Scrapping fees for first-timers boosts Kenya digital ID registration
Published: 8/Sep/2025
Source: Biometric Update
By Ayang Macdonald
The Kakamega Country in Kenya has witnessed a jump in national ID registrations following the scrapping of application fees for first-timers.
The move has also positively influenced ID registration in other counties as the government has carried out mobile registration campaigns including in Nakuru.
According to the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, many more people are enrolling for the Maisha Namba digital ID after authorities terminated the payment of 300 Kenyan Shilling (US$2.30) as application fee.
Murkomen made the observation during a visit in which he evaluated progress on civil and national ID registration at the Huduma Center of the Kakamega County.
President William Ruto signed a gazette notice scrapping fees for first time ID applicants in March, in a move that was intended to make the important document more accessible to citizens.
Also scrapped alongside the fees was the Ksh500 (US$3.80) that was considered vetting or verification fee for birth certificates when citizens applied for an ID or passport.
Read further: https://www.biometricupdate.com/202509/scrapping-fees-for-first-timers-boosts-kenya-digital-id-registration