The government is overhauling the national identity card system to enable new applicants to receive their ID cards within a single day. This initiative aims to improve public service efficiency, reduce bureaucratic delays, and grant citizens quicker access to vital identification documents.
During a press briefing on April 3, 2026, Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang announced that these changes result from significant investments in modern technology, which have streamlined the application and production processes nationwide.
“Our cards now arrive within three to seven days, and applicants in Nairobi can receive them the same day. The technology we have implemented has greatly accelerated and enhanced the process,” Kipsang stated.
He highlighted that applicants in Nairobi can obtain their IDs on the day of application, a change that is expected to facilitate access to essential services. For individuals outside the capital, the processing time has also improved, with IDs expected within three to seven days.
Additionally, Kipsang confirmed that the government has eliminated all fees associated with ID applications and replacements, following a presidential directive to waive the previous charges of Ksh300 for new applications and Ksh1,000 for replacements.
He addressed concerns regarding allegations that the government is issuing national IDs to foreigners to sway the 2027 General Election, calling these claims unfounded.
Kipsang clarified that foreigners living in Kenya, including refugees and asylum seekers, receive alien cards through a distinct legal process that does not confer voting rights. “For foreigners, there is a defined procedure. Refugees receive alien cards, not national IDs, and without a Kenyan ID, one cannot vote,” he explained.
This clarification comes amid rising political discourse surrounding the removal of vetting requirements for new ID applicants. The government asserts that the previous system led to discrimination and unnecessary delays for many Kenyans.
Furthermore, the government, through Huduma Kenya, has encouraged citizens to collect their unclaimed identification documents, including national IDs, smart driving licenses, and birth certificates, from service centers across the nation.
On April 1, 2026, Huduma Kenya revealed that thousands of important personal documents remain uncollected, raising concerns about the efficiency of application processing and delivery timelines. The agency reported that over 152,000 national IDs, 85,550 smart driving licenses, and 28,550 birth certificates await collection at government offices nationwide.
