Murkomen Issues Fresh Directives on ID Services

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued fresh directives on the waiver of fees charged for the replacement of national identification cards (IDs) and the change of personal particulars.

In a statement dated May 1, 2026, the CS, through a Special Gazette Notice dated April 30, 2026, announced that the government has extended the waiver period for the fees for a further six months.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 16 of the Registration of Persons Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration makes the following Rules,The Registration of Persons (Amendment) Rules, 2026,” read part of the notice.

Murkomen Issues Fresh Directives on ID Replacement Fees Waiver

The amendment revises Rule 13 by replacing the initial six-month waiver period with a new timeline running from April 30, 2026, to October 30, 2026.

According to Murkomen, the move is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring that all citizens can access vital identification documents, which are key to accessing public services and economic opportunities.

Also Read: Huduma Kenya Gives Update on Issuance ID Cards for Free

The CS noted that the directive complements other measures spearheaded by President William Ruto, including the scrapping of charges for first-time ID applicants, the removal of authentication fees for birth certificates, and the elimination of extra vetting requirements for border communities.

Murkomen urged Kenyans who have attained the age of 18 and above to take advantage of the waiver and apply for national identification cards.

“I call on all eligible Kenyans to take advantage of this waiver and register for ID cards,” he said.

President Ruto Announces Scraping of Identification Card Fees

The directive comes months after President Ruto announced the scrapping of fees for first-time ID applications and the replacement of lost IDs, urging Kenyans to acquire the document to access essential services.

Also Read: Ruto Declares Free ID Card Replacements for Kenyans

“On Thursday, the government gazetted a six-month waiver on fees for the replacement of identification cards and change of particulars under the new Registration of Persons (Amendment) Rules, 2025.

You do not have a reason not to have a national identification card,” he said.

The Head of State at the time urged Kenyans without National Identification Cards to take advantage of the government’s waiver on application charges to acquire the crucial national document.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates