Kenya Slashes ID Card Wait Times to 10 Days, Announces PS Bitok

The Kenyan government has announced that people applying for national identification cards will now receive them in just 10 working days, down from the previous 21 days.

This development was revealed by Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok during the World ID Day celebrations in Machakos County on September 16. The expedited process is attributed to the nationwide deployment of live capture equipment at Huduma centres and National Registration Bureau (NRB) county offices, reducing the waiting period from the previous 21 days. Machakos County, chosen as the venue for this year's World ID Day festivities, boasts one of the highest populations of youth eligible for ID registration, with over 31,000 young people due for registration.

“It will now take you not more than ten working days from the date of application down from at least 21 days to get your ID. We want Kenyans to acquire their IDs as quickly and conveniently as possible.” Bitok said during the World ID celebrations.

The event served to highlight the importance of national IDs in accessing government services and fulfilling civic duties. On-site registration services were provided for various essential documents, including IDs, birth certificates, and certificates of good conduct. A significant factor contributing to the improved efficiency is the acquisition of a modern printer, which has tripled the daily ID card production capacity to 30,000. This enhancement is expected to substantially reduce backlogs and accelerate the issuance process.

However, the introduction of new-generation IDs, known as Maisha cards, has sparked controversy. The government's announcement that these cards would expire after 10 years faced public backlash. Bitok defended the decision, explaining that the cards contain a chip with a limited lifespan, similar to ATM cards, to ensure uniqueness and minimize fraud. He assures that the renewal process would not require fresh biometrics and that the cards comply with international standards for cross-border identification documents.

During the World ID Day event, Machakos Member of Parliament Caleb Mule called for the establishment of additional National Registration Bureau and Civil Registration Services offices to improve accessibility. He highlighted the current burden on residents who must travel long distances to obtain identity documents, citing examples of citizens from several counties having to journey to Embu or Nairobi for passport services.