Huduma Kenya has announced a temporary disruption in its systems that is affecting the processing and issuance of National Identity Cards (IDs).
In a statement on Wednesday, November 5, the agency expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to customers, noting that its technical teams are working to resolve the issue.
“Huduma Kenya wishes to inform our esteemed customers that we are currently experiencing intermittent system downtime. This is likely to affect the speed of processing the issuance of National Identity Cards (ID’s).
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that optimal operations of the system is restored. We kindly seek your patience,” the statement read.
This new development comes days after the government announced a temporary waiver of fees for Kenyans seeking to replace their IDs or update personal details in the national registration system.
According to a Gazette notice published on Friday, October 31, the fee exemption will be in effect for a period of six months beginning October 30.
In the notice, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen instructed that fees prescribed for duplicate or replacement identification documents and changes of particulars shall be nil for six months.
“The Registration of Persons (Amendment) Rules, 2025, Rule 9 of the main Registration of Persons Rules is being changed in section 4 by removing the words ‘pay a fee of one thousand shillings
“Fees listed in the Sixth Schedule for various services under these Rules will be waived (you won’t have to pay) for the following: Duplicate or replacement documents, and change of particulars (personal details). This fee waiver will last for six months, starting from the date these new rules begin; 30th October, 2025,” the notice read.
Elsewhere, this comes months after Huduma Kenya announced plans to cut the time it takes to process Police Clearance Certificates, commonly known as Good Conduct Certificates, to just one day.
The announcement was made on Thursday, July 24, following a multi-agency meeting to discuss ways to streamline and modernize service delivery mechanisms across the country.
“Plans are underway to significantly reduce the turnaround time (TAT) for DCI services with police clearance certificates soon to be processed and issued within a single day.
“This follows the announcement by Assistant Inspector General Mr. Gillion Mwangi that Multi-Biometric Identification (MBI) systems and live capture machines will be introduced at Huduma Centres,” the statement read.
Huduma Kenya added that the new system will be implemented through a collaborative approach, and is aimed at improving service delivery.
“The initiative is aimed at improving operational efficiency at the DCI desk and providing faster, more seamless services to citizens through Huduma Centres across the country,” the statement
