Kenya’s government has recently implemented a charge for national identity cards, which has caused widespread outrage among citizens. Previously, Kenyans could obtain ID cards for free once they reached the age of 18. However, new applicants are now required to pay a fee of 1,000 Kenyan shillings ($6; £5) for their ID cards. Additionally, the cost of replacing ID cards has increased significantly to 2,000 shillings, a 20-fold increase.
These new charges come at a time when Kenya is facing a severe cost-of-living crisis, leading to a surge of discontent and anger from the public. Social media platforms have been flooded with criticism and complaints about the government’s decision.
Moreover, the revised fees also impact other government-issued documents including passports, marriage certificates, work and residence permits, and birth and death certificates. The fees for obtaining various categories of passports will increase by more than 50%, while the cost of obtaining birth and death certificates has risen by over four times, now reaching 200 shillings. Marriage certificates will now cost 100,000 shillings, triple the previous amount, while civil weddings will cost 10 times more at 50,000 shillings.
Furthermore, the government has also raised the cost of acquiring citizenship or residence, doubling the amount payable for children born to Kenyan citizens abroad to one million shillings to acquire permanent residence in Kenya.
These sudden and substantial increases have raised concerns that they will create barriers for poorer individuals who may struggle to access government services or participate in processes that require government documents, such as voting and marriage. Critics argue that these charges disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society, preventing them from exercising their rights and engaging fully with society.
One of the main concerns is that the cost of obtaining an ID card now excludes a group of people from voter registration, which poses a significant threat to the realization of the right to vote. Additionally, higher fees for government services, which many Kenyans believe are already covered by their taxes, have sparked widespread frustration and complaints.
It is important to note that the World Bank reports 27% of Kenyans live below the poverty line, surviving on less than $2.15 a day. These price hikes could further exacerbate the financial challenges faced by individuals and families living in poverty.
While some politicians have criticized these increases, government officials have disputed them. Roseline Njogu, the head of the department of diaspora affairs, has mentioned that the price hike in permanent residence fees for children of Kenyan citizens born abroad was entered in error and will be corrected.
The new ID card charges and other fee increases are part of a series of revenue-generating measures introduced by President William Ruto’s administration since taking office last year. These measures have included higher taxes on essential goods like fuel and increased charges for government services such as national park entry. Unsurprisingly, these policies have had a ripple effect, leading to rising transportation costs, electricity prices, and commodity prices. Earlier this year, opposition groups organized protests to voice their concerns about the high cost of living.
President Ruto has not yet responded to the outcry over the increases in fees, but he is expected to address the nation in his first state of the nation speech later today. In this address, he is likely to discuss his administration’s achievements over the past year and propose measures to tackle national debt and the high cost of living.
As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor the response of the government and the impact these charges have on vulnerable populations. Additionally, any adjustments or clarifications made by officials regarding the price hikes for government services should be closely followed. The financial burden placed on Kenyans, particularly those living in poverty, could have far-reaching consequences and may require further action or policy changes to address the concerns raised by the public.
