This article highlights the categories of applications for Identity cards (ID) in Kenya. Just like other countries, Kenya has national identity cards which play an important role in the identification of Kenyan citizens.
Identity cards in one way promote social economic and political development of the country, for example, an Identity card facilitates the voting process as it is one of the requirements before one casts his/her vote.
Identity cards are issued to persons who have attained the age of 18 years and above. The National Registration Bureau is in charge of the registration and issuance of ID cards. The bureau is one of the departments under the Ministry of Interior & Co-ordination of National Government. It was established in 1978 to implement and enforce the Registration of Persons Act (Cap 107).
The Registration of Persons Act provides for compulsory identification, registration and issuance of identity cards to all persons who are citizens of Kenya and who have attained the age of 18 years.
Categories Of Applications Of Identity Cards
1. Not Previously Registered (initial registration)
This category is for persons applying for the identity card for the first time. No fee is paid to access the service.
2. Duplicates
This results from lost, defaced or mutilated cards. A fee of Kshs 100 is charged.
3. Change of particulars
This results from change of names and residence. It attracts a fee of Ksh 300 and 1000, depending on the request.
Registration Process
- All persons seeking initial registration are required to prove their age, citizenship and be positively identified by local administration officers like Assistant chiefs, Chiefs and Assistant County Commissioners.
- Applicants in border and cosmopolitan areas are vetted by identification committees comprising of local elders, immigration officers, registration officers and local security personnel.
N/B
Initial registration of identity cards can’t be done online. However, application forms can be downloaded online and the rest of the process finished manually. Huduma Centres only offer application for duplicate identity cards.
