Huduma Kenya Unveils ID Delay Cause, Introduces Ksh1,000 Fee
Huduma Kenya disclosed on Thursday, May 30, that court cases in progress had caused a delay in the issuance of National Identity cards.
This announcement came after numerous complaints from Kenyans who had applied for ID replacements months ago but had not yet received them.
Huduma Kenya also acknowledged the delays in providing both new IDs and replacements, informing Kenyans that a fee of Ksh1,000 was required for ID replacement due to ongoing issues.
Explaining the situation further, Huduma Kenya informed concerned citizens that the delay stemmed from a high court order that had halted the production of new digital ID cards, also known as Maisha cards.
However, they assured the public that efforts were underway to address the backlog and expedite the processing of IDs.
In December 2024, the issuance of new digital IDs, or Maisha Cards, was put on hold by court order following a petition from the Katiba Institute.
The petition raised concerns under the Data Protection Act, highlighting potential risks to individuals’ rights and freedoms due to the collection of biometric data during the application process.
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Subsequently, on February 23, the High Court lifted the injunction, granting permission for President William Ruto’s administration to proceed with the rollout of digital ID cards.
In response, the Ministry of Interior initiated efforts to clear the backlog accumulated during the period of the court injunction.
In November 2023, the Interior Cabinet Secretary announced plans to implement a fee of Ksh1,000 for ID replacements as a means to generate additional revenue for the immigration department.
Initially, there was a proposal for a higher fee of Ksh2,000, which faced public backlash and was consequently withdrawn after just one day.
Following public feedback, adjustments were made to the proposed charges, fees, and levies, as announced by Kindiki on November 14, 2023.
Huduma Kenya also specified that individuals seeking ID replacements must provide a police abstract, which can be obtained from any of their centers nationwide.
Huduma Kenya Unveils ID Delay Cause, Introduces Ksh1,000 Fee