Huduma Kenya has clarified that the replacement of lost or damaged national identification cards is not yet free, despite an earlier announcement by President William Ruto. The agency stated that the fee waiver is yet to be officially implemented.
Background
Earlier in October, President Ruto announced that Kenyans would no longer be charged for obtaining new or replacement ID cards. He explained that the move was aimed at ensuring every eligible citizen can register to vote ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He stated that the government would scrap the KSh 300 charge for new ID applications and the KSh 1,000 fee for replacements to make the process more accessible.
Huduma Kenya’s Clarification
In a recent update, Huduma Kenya clarified that the President’s directive has not yet taken legal effect. The agency noted that:
- The current fee for replacing a lost or damaged ID card remains KSh 1,050.
- The waiver can only take effect after it is officially gazetted.
- First-time ID applications remain free of charge.
Huduma Kenya explained that until the necessary administrative and legal procedures are completed, all service centre must continue to charge the existing fee to remain compliant with current regulations.
Why the Delay?
The discrepancy arises because a public announcement alone does not automatically change a government fee. For such waivers to take effect, the relevant ministry must publish a Gazette Notice formalizing the change.
Until then, Huduma centres are bound by existing rules and cannot waive the fees, even if a new directive has been announced.
Citizens are advised to keep proof of payment in case the waiver is applied retroactively once it is gazetted.
Looking Ahead
The government is expected to issue an official Gazette notice to formalize the waiver soon. Once published, Huduma Kenya will update its service points and communication channels to reflect the new policy.
For now, Kenyans seeking ID replacements will need to continue paying the current fee until further notice.
