Murkomen Extends Free ID Replacement Waiver for Six More Months

Spread the love

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a six-month extension of the waiver on fees for the replacement of national identification cards and change of personal particulars, in a move aimed at enhancing access to vital government services.

According to a Special Gazette Notice dated April 30, 2026, issued under the Registration of Persons Act, the government has amended existing regulations to extend the waiver period.

The notice specifies that the new waiver will run from April 30, 2026, to October 30, 2026, effectively giving Kenyans an additional six months to access the services free of charge.

The amendment, captured in Legal Notice No. 76 under the Registration of Persons (Amendment) Rules, 2026, revises Rule 13 by replacing the earlier provision of “a period of six months” with a clearly defined timeline ending in late October.

Also Read

The rules were formally signed on April 29, 2026, by Murkomen in his capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration.

Speaking on the development, Murkomen emphasized that the extension is part of the government’s broader commitment to ensure that all citizens can obtain essential identification documents without financial barriers.

He noted that access to identification is critical for unlocking opportunities in education, employment, and public services.

The initiative complements reforms spearheaded by President William Samoei Ruto, including the removal of fees for first-time ID applicants, the scrapping of authentication charges for birth certificates, and the elimination of additional vetting requirements for border communities.

Murkomen urged all eligible Kenyans to take advantage of the extended waiver period to replace lost or damaged IDs and update their personal details, underscoring the government’s focus on inclusivity and service delivery.