By Michelle Ndaga
The government has scrapped the KSh 1,050 replacement fee for lost or damaged national identity cards in a move aimed at facilitating voter registration and strengthening citizens’ access to essential services.
The directive was issued by President William Ruto and publicly announced by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during a church service in Nyang’ori, Vihiga County, on October 11, 2025.
Murkomen said the waiver seeks to remove financial barriers that have discouraged many Kenyans especially youth and low-income citizens from replacing lost IDs, which are critical for voter registration and government service access.
The measure builds on earlier reforms that abolished charges for first-time ID applicants and introduced mobile registration drives in underserved regions. These efforts are part of the administration’s broader plan to ensure that all eligible Kenyans possess valid identification ahead of the next general election.
However, Huduma Kenya has acknowledged logistical delays in updating its systems, with some centers still charging the replacement fee as the directive is being implemented nationwide. The agency urged the public to remain patient as the transition takes effect in all service outlets.
