Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has extended the waiver period on fees charged for replacing national identification cards by six months, giving more Kenyans time to update or replace their documents without extra cost.
In a special gazette notice dated April 30, 2026, Murkomen confirmed that the waiver, which had initially been granted for six months, will now run from April 30, 2026, to October 30, 2026. This change replaces an earlier notice issued in October last year that had given citizens up to April 30, 2026, to replace lost IDs ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
“I have today issued a special gazette notice extending the waiver period for fees charged on the replacement of IDs and change of particulars for a further six months,” Murkomen announced.
The extension means that the previous requirement to pay a Ksh1,000 fee for duplicate or replacement IDs has been suspended during this period, easing the financial burden on many Kenyans.
According to Murkomen, the move is part of a wider effort by the government to ensure that all citizens can obtain essential identification documents more easily.
He explained that having a national ID is important for daily life, as it allows people to access government services, apply for jobs, and carry out financial transactions.
“We are committed to ensuring that all citizens can acquire vital identification documents to access government services and other opportunities,” he added, stressing the importance of inclusivity in public services.
The directive is also in line with ongoing reforms under the administration of William Ruto, which aim to reduce barriers when accessing critical documents. Some of the recent steps taken include removing fees for first-time ID applications, scrapping charges for the authentication of birth certificates, and simplifying vetting procedures, especially in Northern Kenya where communities have previously faced challenges.
Murkomen urged all eligible Kenyans to make use of the extended waiver period and ensure their identification documents are updated in good time. With the new October deadline now in place, the government is expected to improve service delivery at registration centres across the country to handle the expected increase in applications and reduce waiting times.
