CS Mbadi Reveals New Reviewed ID Charges Contradicting Kindiki’s Initial Ksh1,000
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi pledged on Wednesday to review the service fees charged to Kenyan Identity Card applicants.
CS Mbadi, who appeared before Senators on Wednesday morning, stated that he agrees with lawmakers that the government should not charge Kenyans seeking the critical document for the first time.
The finance minister explained that it was illogical for the government to charge a person an additional fee to register as a Kenyan citizen.
The CS promised to engage the relevant authorities to ensure that the fee is abolished, relieving Kenyans of the burden.
However, Mbadi’s proposal stated that the fee for replacing ID cards would not be eliminated.
“I am one of the people who are in this school of thought that you do not have to pay to be registered as a Kenyan,” the Finance CS stated.
“I don’t think it is wise to charge new applicants, maybe we should charge for replacements. I agree that this is a fee that needs to be reconsidered.”
"I don't think it's wise to charge Kenyans for New ID cards" CS John Mbadi.
— Godie Muthamia (@GodiiMuthamia) October 2, 2024
JKIA/DP Gachagua/Housing Levy/State House pic.twitter.com/ZR7DA6kvKg
According to Mbadi, this was not the first time he proposed changes to the fees charged for ID cards.
The CS claimed that he proposed the changes while he was a member of Parliament.
CS Mbadi was forced to clarify the matter after a group of lawmakers, led by Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda, questioned him about why the government was charging Kenyans for citizen services.
“The application fee is Ksh300, why don’t you bring them to zero shillings because we are all Kenyans?” the nominated Senator questioned the CS.
Treasury CS John Mbadi agrees with lawmakers that the government should waive fees for Kenyans obtaining national ID cards for the first time. He also confirms that e-Citizen is owned and operated by the government pic.twitter.com/puMMcvBsi1
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) October 2, 2024
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Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki issued a gazette notice in November of last year detailing revised ID Card charges that will go into effect in January 2024.
Kenyans seeking a new ID must now pay Ksh300 under the revised fees.
The new rate was a decrease from the Ksh1,000 originally proposed by the government. However, it was shelved due to public outrage in Kenya.
CS Mbadi Reveals New Reviewed ID Charges Contradicting Kindiki’s Initial Ksh1,000
