The Department of National Registration, operating under the Ministry of Interior, has successfully cleared the backlog of duplicate Identification Cards (IDs). The department is now urging applicants to collect their IDs from designated Huduma Centers.
In a statement issued on Monday, Huduma Kenya, which is responsible for the distribution of IDs and other essential documents, called on Kenyans who had applied for ID replacements to visit the nearest Huduma Center to pick up their documents.
Typically, a duplicate ID is issued when an individual loses their original identification card and seeks a replacement. This latest announcement follows a significant government-imposed fee increase for ID replacements, which saw the cost rise 20-fold.
Kenyans replacing their IDs are now required to pay Ksh1,000, up from the previous fee of Ksh100. The government has defended the increase, stating that the additional funds are necessary to cover the costs associated with ID issuance and the maintenance of the national identification system.
However, the fee hike has sparked widespread criticism, with many Kenyans expressing concerns that the higher costs might deter people from replacing lost IDs. Some have argued that the increased expense is excessive and could lead to many foregoing duplicate IDs altogether.
This move comes as President William Ruto’s administration seeks to boost government revenue through various measures, including the increased charges for ID replacements.
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