Government Announces Plan to Issue 3 Million National ID Cards

The government has announced plans to issue three million national Identity Cards (ID Cards) to Kenyans across the country by the end of the year as it continues reforms aimed at improving access to crucial identification documents.

Principal Secretary in the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, Belio Kipsang, said the ongoing exercise has been boosted by technology that has reduced delays previously experienced during the application process.

Kipsang made the remarks on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, when he appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Regional Integration, chaired by Irene Mayaka, at Parliament Buildings to provide an update on the implementation of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol.

The PS said the digital transformation of the identification system has helped the government process applications faster while supporting efforts to facilitate movement within the region.

“Hon. Members, we have invested in technology; we moved from a manual system of issuing ID cards to a digital system where we scan all documents in the live capture equipment; this allows us to issue this important document within ten days and a replacement for the same within a day,” he said.

He noted that the adoption of live capture equipment had significantly increased the number of IDs issued, adding that the government was also targeting young Kenyans who have attained the legal age for registration.

“Since we started using the live capture equipment, in five months we have issued 1.5 million ID cards. 1.9 million ID cards were issued last year, and we project to issue 3 million by the end of this year,” Kipsang said.

The PS attributed the increased numbers to changes that eliminated lengthy vetting procedures that had previously prevented some Kenyans from receiving their identification documents.

“This is because of the efficiency in stopping the vetting process, which had denied many Kenyans a chance to get ID cards. We have Kenyans in Wajir and Narok Counties who are getting ID cards for the first time in their 60s and 80s,” he added.

Digital System Speeds Up ID Cards Process

Kipsang further explained that the exercise would include students in schools who have reached the age of 18 years, as the government seeks to ensure more citizens acquire national identification documents promptly.

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Addressing concerns over foreigners obtaining Kenyan identity cards, the PS clarified that non-citizens are issued different documents meant to help them access specific services.

He said refugees receive special identification cards while foreigners are provided with alien cards, which enable access to services, including SIM cards and telephone registration.

The committee chairperson, Irene Mayaka, commended the State Department for its efforts in improving the process of acquiring identity cards and passports.

Committee members also called on the government to push for increased use of national identity cards as travel documents within East African countries and other willing partner states.

They observed that the arrangement was already operational between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, urging Tanzania and other northern corridor countries to consider adopting a similar system.

Kenya Pushes for Easier Regional Travel

The discussions also focused on the implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol and measures to enhance the efficient issuance of e-passports to support free movement across member states.

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During his closing remarks, Kipsang raised concerns about the continued reliance on visas by some EAC countries instead of adopting Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) systems.

“Most countries across the world are now using eTA for international travel, and Kenya has fully complied with this,” he said.

The PS highlighted Kenya’s improving passport ranking, saying the country had gained stronger recognition internationally.

“In the last ranking across the world, our passport was ranked 68th globally, 10th in Africa, and 1st in the region; this leaves us with strength and confidence. You can go to 69 countries using our passport without having a visa,” Kipsang concluded.

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Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang at a past event. PHOTO/ Nation Media Group