Government Scraps ID Vetting and Fees in Nationwide Access Drive
Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo announced the reforms during a mass ID registration exercise in Masara, Suna West, Migori County. He said the changes were initiated by President William Ruto to remove barriers that had for years prevented many Kenyans particularly those in historically marginalised and border counties from acquiring national IDs
By : Mweru Mbugua
The government has abolished the long-standing vetting process and all fees associated with national identity card applications in a move aimed at widening access to identification documents across Kenya
Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo announced the reforms during a mass ID registration exercise in Masara, Suna West, Migori County. He said the changes were initiated by President William Ruto to remove barriers that had for years prevented many Kenyans particularly those in historically marginalised and border counties from acquiring national IDs
According to Dr. Omollo, the extra vetting requirement previously imposed on residents of counties such as Homa Bay, Siaya, Busia, Garissa and Mandera has been scrapped, allowing them to access identification documents under the same conditions as other citizens
The government has also eliminated application and replacement fees for ID cards, a step officials say will ease financial burdens and encourage more citizens to register
The announcement was made as hundreds of residents turned up for the registration exercise in Migori County. Dr. Omollo noted that expanding ID coverage would enhance government planning and improve the delivery of public services
He further highlighted the civic importance of national identification, pointing out that an ID card is required for voter registration and participation in elections
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In February 2025, President Ruto signed a proclamation formally ending the decades-old vetting requirement for residents of border counties. The measure, originally introduced in the 1960s following the Shifta insurgency in Northern Kenya, had made it more difficult for some communities to obtain identity documents
The latest reforms signal a significant policy shift in the country’s identification framework, with the government positioning the changes as part of broader efforts to promote inclusivity and equal access to public services
