MURKOMEN SCRAPS BIRTH CERTIFICATE AUTHENTICATION FEES IN PUSH TO EASE 1D, PASSPORT ACCESS

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced the immediate abolition of authentication fees for birth certificates when applying for national identity cards and passports. Speaking in Homa Bay County on Tuesday afternoon, Murkomen said the move is aimed at eliminating unnecessary financial barriers and aligns with the government’s commitment to simplifying access to Ids. “Effective today, civil registration services will no longer charge authentication fees for birth certificates when applying for Ids and passports. This measure removes unnecessary costs and supports our vision of making identification services more accessible,” he stated.

The CS further revealed that the government is considering waiving fees for birth and death certificate applications to ensure all Kenyans, regardless of income or location, can access these crucial documents. Additionally, he disclosed that the government is reviewing the cost of replacing a lost ID, with plans to reduce it from the current Ksh1,050.

Murkomen also highlighted an ongoing policy review aimed at recognising and documenting small and previously unacknowledged communities that face systemic barriers in obtaining identification. “We are committed to recognising and documenting every Kenyan, including those from marginalised groups. Every citizen matters, and every citizen must be counted,” he affirmed.

To improve efficiency, the Interior Ministry plans to roll out a digital system that will enable Kenyans to initiate and track their ID applications online, offering real-time updates on the process. Murkomen added that the government is also working on expanding civil registration offices across the country to enhance service delivery.

He urged Kenyans who have not applied for or collected their Ids to do so promptly in preparation for the 2027 General Election. At the same time, he criticised some politicians who, he claimed, were trying to undermine the government’s recent decision to scrap ID vetting in North-Eastern counties.