Huduma Kenya Defies Presidential Waiver, ID Replacement Still Costs KSh1,000

A disagreement has emerged within the government over the suspension of Kenya’s national identity card replacement fee, following conflicting statements from President William Ruto and the Ministry of Public Service.

During an address on 28 October, President Ruto announced that the Ksh1,000 fee for replacing lost or damaged ID cards had been waived to support voter registration ahead of the 2027 general elections. He said the move was intended to remove barriers that might prevent citizens from registering to vote, explaining that while the fee was originally introduced to discourage misuse, the current electoral period called for a more inclusive approach.

However, the President’s announcement appears not to have been formally implemented. The following day, Huduma Kenya, the agency that manages government service delivery, said that the waiver had not yet taken effect. 

“At this time, the ID replacement fees have not been waived. We are awaiting official confirmation through a gazette notice,” the agency said, adding that any updates would be shared through its verified communication channels.

The conflicting statements have caused uncertainty among citizens seeking replacement IDs in preparation for voter registration. While presidential directives carry authority, their implementation requires formal approval and coordination across government agencies, particularly when statutory fees are involved. 

Until an official notice is issued, Kenyans applying for replacement ID cards will still be required to pay the standard KSh1,000 fee.